University of Passau, August 31st to September 2nd 2025
Mid-Term Conference of the Research Network Ethnic Relations, Racism and Antisemitism of the European Sociological Association
Organizers
Chair of Sociology, University of Passau
International Institute for Education and Research on Antisemitism
Elke Rajal, Karin Stögner, Kim Robin Stoller (co-convenors)
CALL FOR PAPERS
The RN31 Ethnic Relations, Racism and Antisemitism invites submissions of papers for the upcoming conference Hate in Transition: Antisemitism and Racism in Times of Political Crisis, and the Aftermath of 7 October. This event will be held August 31st to September 2nd, 2025 at Passau University, Germany.
This conference seeks to explore the shifting dynamics of hate, antisemitism, racism, discrimination, and political extremism in the face of contemporary global crises. Focusing on the intersections of antisemitism, racism, and related phenomena, we aim to explore how these issues manifest and evolve amidst political turmoil, social upheaval, and the reverberations of pivotal events, such as the antisemitic, genocidal attacks on 7 October, 2023.
We encourage submissions that address the following central themes, though other related topics will also be considered:
- Antisemitism: Historical and contemporary forms, including left-wing, right-wing, and Islamic antisemitism.
- Islamism: The role of Islamist ideologies in shaping contemporary antisemitism in Muslim-majority countries and in Europe.
- The Far-Right Resurgence: Examining racism, anti-Muslim resentment, antisemitism, and other ideologies of hate in the context of the far right.
- Racism: historical and contemporary forms, including antigypsyism/anti-Roma discrimination in various European countries.
- Intersectionality of Hate: How different forms of racism and antisemitism intersect with other ideologies.
- Conspiracy Theories and Political Crises: Exploring the role of conspiracy ideologies in fueling hate in the times of crises.
We particularly welcome papers that offer:
- Comparative and cross-national perspectives.
- Interdisciplinary approaches, combining insights from history, sociology, political science, and cultural studies.
- Theoretical and methodological innovations in understanding these phenomena.
A perspective on the gendered dimensions of all the mentioned issues is most welcome.
We will hold sessions that focus on theoretical, methodological, and empirical aspects of research on antisemitism and racism, also in a comparative framework. The network’s perspective is to bridge an exclusive divide between the understanding of antisemitism and of racism, exploring the correspondences and affinities, but also the differences and contrasts. The network’s over-arching question is to understand the material conditions and the social, political, and historical contexts shaping variations of racism (including forms like anti-Roma discrimination, “antigypsyism”, and anti-Muslim resentment) and antisemitism (including antisemitism related to the hostility to Israel, Islamic antisemitism, antisemitism of the left as well as of the right), across time and across different European and global contexts.
During the sessions, each speaker will have 20 minutes for presentation. All presentations will be made in English.
Submission Guidelines:
Submissions are welcome from established academics, early-career researchers, and practitioners. Please provide an abstract of 250-300 words along with a brief bio and institutional affiliation. All submissions must be in English.
Link for Submissions: https://form.typeform.com/to/uI8eo3qs
Key Dates:
- Call Opens: 17th of January, 2025
- Submission Deadline (extended): 25th of March, 2025
- Notification of Acceptance: 1st of May, 2025
Contact Information:
Inquiries should be sent to
Kim Robin Stoller, kim.stoller@iibsa.org (Coordinator, Research Network)
Elke Rajal, elke.rajal@uni-passau.de (Co-Coordinator, Research Network; local host)