A Kichwa-Salasaka from Ecuador, Mirian Masaquiza is currently the associate social affairs officer for the Secretariat of the U.N. Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. She will be one of the special guests during the 4th edition of the Quechua Alliance Meeting, November 17th at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Throughout her career, she has had the opportunity to work in three fronts: as an indigenous activist; a staff member of the United Nations; and a diplomat/advisor at the Government of Ecuador.

Most of her work is related to rights of Indigenous Peoples as well as a range of issues such as gender, cultural and educational matters, climate change, inter-agency affairs, outreach, political analysis, non-governmental organizations.

The 4th edition of the Quechua Alliance Annual Meeting will be held at the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia. For more information to sign up, visit here.

April 12-13, 2019
Northwestern University, Greater Chicago area (Evanston, IL)

Submission Deadline: November 18, 2018

The Thinking Andean Studies conference continues its mission to strengthen the interdisciplinary network of scholars working in the growing field of Andean Studies, as well as to help foster a mentoring relationship between established and emerging scholars. The even aims to provide a space for participants to share their research through paper presentations and roundtable discussions, and hopes to showcase the increasing number of scholars in the US conducting research in and about the Andes. 

In previous editions, we have asked participants to consider the importance of working across disciplines, and how to potentially theorize the Andes (Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia, as well as certain areas of Argentina and Chile). This year, we invite participants to reflect on how concepts such as coloniality and decolonization, indigeneity and race, politics and governance, exist as part of relationships of power in the region. In other words, who gets to speak for the history of the Andes? From where do theories and practices (academic and otherwise) in the region derive, and where might they be headed? Ideally, papers and/or panels will reflect on some of the power dynamics that intersect to shape various facets of Andean societies.

This interdisciplinary conference also aims to connect scholars with indigenous language and culture advocates. In this spirit, the conference will include presentations that explore the intersections of indigenous languages of the Andes and media and activism, language pedagogy, literature, performance, and community organizing.

Papers from any theoretical perspective and examining any aspect of the Andes are welcome, including but not restricted to: cultural studies, cultural policy, literature, indigenous studies, language planning and policy, bilingual education, decolonization, colonial studies, anthropology, sociology, cultural heritage, political science, linguistics, media studies, critical race theory, ethnomusicology, and history. Papers can be in English or any of the languages spoken in the Andean region.

Please submit a paper title and abstract of 250 words maximum to Marlén Rosas (mrosas@sas.upenn.edu) by November 18th, 2018. Responses will be made available by December 14th to all who submitted.

* Participants will be asked to pay a fee for the conference once their papers or panels have been accepted: US$20 for students, $35 for faculty. Fee waivers are available, especially for scholars at institutions outside the US.

Conference site: https://thinkingandeanstudies.wordpress.com