Kenya Scholars & Studies Association Conference - Sep 7-8, 2012 at Bowling Green State University

In 2012, Kenya will witness the first parliamentary and presidential elections since the promulgation of a new constitution in 2010. For the first time since independence, a cabinet minister will not simultaneously serve as a member of the executive and legislative branches of government. Similarly, the office of Governor will come into being under the county-based devolved system of government. These changes and others are thought to usher in a different political climate – to the extent that many envision a nation in transition.

Whether it is fitting or not to call Kenya a nation in transition is superseded by these two questions:

1. What opportunities does this change offer the country and its citizens?
2. What constraints or roadblocks do Kenyans face in realizing the fruits of this much‐anticipated change?

These questions and others form the core of the theme of the 5^th Conference of the Kenya Scholars and Studies Association (KESSA) at Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, USA. The conference will be held in the Bowen Thompson Student Union on September 7‐8, 2012.

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

You are invited to submit a paper/poster abstract for the 2012 conference. The KESSA conference organizing
committee is proud to provide a forum for an exciting and thought provoking weekend of professional engagement, dialogue, and networking.

Abstracts and organized sessions under the broad theme of “Kenya, a Nation in Transition: Opportunities and Constraints” are welcome.

SUGGESTED TOPICS:

• Agriculture and Climate
• Change
• Culture, Music, Language, Sports, Art
• Economics/ Business Global Capital
• Education
• Environment
• Gender, Women and Youth
• Global Kenyan Diaspora
• Health
• Housing
• Law
• New Constitution Implementation
• Politics and Governance
• Religion
• Science & Technology
• Globalization
• Security and Terrorism
• Tourism

ABSTRACT SUBMISSION:

Presenters should submit 250‐word (or less) abstracts that include the presentation's title, presenter, institutional affiliation, contact information (mailing address, phone, and email address), purpose, methods, conclusions, and three key words. Abstracts should be edited for spelling, grammatical, and typographical errors. Abstracts should convey research results clearly and concisely and should be as jargon free as possible since this is an interdisciplinary conference. Please do not include references, citations, and/or abbreviations in the body of the abstract.

By submitting an abstract, you grant KESSA permission to include it in the conference program and/or disseminate it electronically. Proposals for organized paper sessions, panels, and round‐table discussions are welcome. Organized paper sessions should consist of 4‐5 papers. Session organizers should clearly identify all session participants and submit all session abstracts in one package and should ensure that each abstract meets the abstract guidelines noted above.

ABSTRACT ACCEPTANCE:

While abstracts can be submitted before registration, KESSA will accept abstracts from registered attendees only. The deadline for abstract submission is May 4, 2012. After the abstract submission deadline, authors of accepted abstracts will be notified by email.

To register and submit your abstract go to: http://kessa.org/2012_conference.