AUG 4 Deadline: Call for Workshop Chairs

GSS workshops are scheduled to take place from April 11 to April 12 at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. The symposium will feature seven thematic workshops covering a range of critical topics: defense and security, innovation and economy, governance and reform, energy policies, U.S.-Gulf relations, society and culture, and geopolitics.

Our primary objective is to receive high-quality papers on diverse and cutting-edge topics related to the Gulf region in each workshop. We encourage the participation of experts from diverse backgrounds and institutions, including a balance of rising and seasoned scholars.

With a focus on the seven workshop themes on the Gulf region (the GCC, Iraq, Iran, and Yemen), we encourage submitting workshop proposals (1.5 pages long) exploring one of the topics listed below. Additionally, we welcome other topics within each given theme. With the discretion of the GSS committee, there is flexibility to accept proposals that are outside the topics outlined below. However, the theme must be broad enough for publication outcomes such as a book publication and/or journal article series. Seven workshop sessions will be accepted.

Workshop Chairs’ responsibilities are as follows:

• Upon acceptance of a workshop proposal, Workshop Chairs must expand it to a 3-5 page formal call for papers within ten days of receiving the acceptance letter.
• Lead and moderate the workshop sessions during the conference.
• In partnership with GSS affiliates, actively solicit participants, select high-quality topics and abstracts, and ensure their seamless alignment with their respective themes.
• Collaborate with presenters to ensure papers are submitted in a timely manner, from abstract submission to the publication plan.
• Develop and implement a publication plan with presenters.
• Each Workshop Chair application must include two Chairs.

1. U.S.-Gulf Policy

• The evolving U.S. role in the Gulf region
• Mutual areas of cooperation on climate security between the U.S. and Gulf states
• Congress and U.S. Foreign Policy in the Gulf
• S. security, deterrence capabilities, and defense integration in the GCC
• Great power competition between the U.S. and China and/or Russia in the Gulf
• Areas in which U.S. interests converge or diverge from Gulf allies and partners
• S. and Maritime Security in the Gulf
• S. foreign arms sales, including effects on military effectiveness, credibility, and escalation control
• Implications of U.S.-Iran relations

2. Energy Policies

• The effect of climate and global sustainability goals on energy policies
• Climate diplomacy and strategies for enhancing regional/global cooperation through climate action
• The role of the private sector in climate change mitigation and adaptation in the Gulf
• Climate justice and equitable and inclusive climate policies
• The interplay between climate change and food security
• The geopolitical context of OPEC+ and how regional and international politics can influence the organization
• How the GCC can diversify their energy mix for a sustainable future

3. Economy and Innovation

• Role of women and youth in knowledge-based economies
• The opportunities and challenges for the development of innovation ecosystem
• Rise and challenges of entrepreneurship in the Gulf
• The role of business elites in the Gulf political economies
• The role of international firms and their effect on human capital and economic development
• The prospects and challenges of economic corridors (IMEC, BRI, Development Road)
• Investigate the role of state-led economic development strategies
• The effect of emerging and disruptive technologies (such as biotechnology, clean energy technologies and artificial intelligence) on private sector development, or vice versa

4. Governance and Reform

• How economic diversification efforts impact the social contract and state-society dynamics.
• The impact of mega-projects on Gulf cities and society
• How state-business relations affect economic development
• Politics and representation in parliaments/National Assemblies for different social groups such as youth, women, tribes, business elites and/or Islamists
• The construction of national identities in the Gulf
• Explore major political factions and movements in Iran, including their ideologies, policies, and influence on domestic politics
• Political reconciliation and power-sharing mechanisms for a future Yemeni state
• Regional and international actors’ role in Yemen’s state-building process and their influence on political dynamics

5. Defense and Security

• National defense budgets, doctrines, and strategies
• Women in peace and security in the Gulf region
• Maritime security
• The relationship between emerging technologies and arms race and security
• Nuclear proliferation
• Security pacts and security arrangements
• Localized Defense Industries in the GCC
• Regional politics and the role of militias in Iraq and Yemen

6. Geopolitics

• Gulf’s Role in the Gaza War (Rebuilding, Mediation, and Prospects of a Palestinian State)
• Small-state and middle powers politics in the Gulf
• Iran-Israel Rivalry’s Effect on the region
• Evolving Iran-GCC Relations
• GCC Relations with Horn of Africa
• Russia and China relations with the Gulf
• The GCC states relations with Turkey
• Examine social/political/economic/humanitarian effects of long-term conflict on local populations in Iraq and Yemen
• The effect of the Ukraine war on regional politics and/or international relations

7. Society and Culture

• Cultural diplomacy of Gulf states
• Educational enhancement and reform
• Women’s status and empowerment in public life
• Social stratification
• Shifting cultural and social identities of the youth
• Sports, social cohesion and national pride
• Digital media, art and cultural production
• The role of technology and innovation in the social change