CfP | Post-Cold War Transformations: Navigating Conflict and Cooperation in Eastern and Southeast Europe

The workshop aims to foster dialogue and collaboration among emerging scholars and highlight innovative methodologies and perspectives. Our focus extends from macro-level analyses to microhistories and individual experiences, encouraging a nuanced understanding of regional dynamics. A key focus of the workshop is fostering self-reflection and open discussion about participants' work. We prioritize creating a space where individuals can share challenges they are facing and explore strategies that have helped them overcome them.

Date of conference: 3–4 July 2025

The organisers in Regensburg will cover accommodation costs and can make a contribution to travel costs.

Find the full call for papers here.

Abstract:

Eastern and Southeast Europe remain regions shaped by historical transformations, diverse identities, and socio-political complexities. Since the end of the Cold War to modern-day nationbuilding and cross-border cooperation, these regions offer fertile ground for exploring themes of conflict, cooperation, and transformation through interdisciplinary lenses. Moreover, understanding these dynamics could also require consideration of the transatlantic and global dimensions that influence and shape regional developments. International organizations and institutions, such as NATO, the EU, and various NGOs, play pivotal roles in security, conflict resolution, and peacekeeping efforts. Likewise, economic organizations contribute to economic transformation and cooperation, and environmental issues intersect with global agreements and institutional frameworks. Integrating broader transnational and international perspectives into the discussion will help contextualize regional developments within a global framework. This two-day workshop invites doctoral and other early career researchers to critically engage with the intersections of conflict and cooperation in the Eastern and Southeast European context. Participants are encouraged to examine the historical, political, economic, cultural, and social dynamics that drive both divisions and cooperation within and across these regions. The workshop aims to foster dialogue and collaboration among emerging scholars and highlight innovative methodologies and perspectives. Our focus extends from macro-level analyses to microhistories and individual experiences, encouraging a nuanced understanding of regional dynamics. A key focus of the workshop is fostering self-reflection and open discussion about participants' work. We prioritize creating a space where individuals can share challenges they are facing and explore strategies that have helped them overcome them.

We welcome papers addressing (but not limited to) the following topics:

• Nation-building and Transformations: State formation and identity in the aftermath of conflict.
• Ethnic and Religious Dimensions: Their roles in both fostering conflict and enabling cooperation.
• Economic (De)Integration: Regional economic networks, dependencies, and their sociopolitical impacts.
• Environmental Change and Cooperation: Resource management, climate change, and environmental challenges.
• Interactions, Interdependencies, and In:Security between Conflict and Cooperation: Factors influencing the scope for peace negotiations, reconceptualisation and institutionalization of security in Europe.

Submission guidelines:

• We look forward to receiving abstracts by 20 March 2025.
• Abstracts should be no longer than 250 words and should clearly state the research question, methodology, and expected results. Please also include a brief biography (not longer than 100 words) including information on your current affiliations, projects you are involved in, and publications (if any).
• Applicants are encouraged to include an additional paragraph outlining any challenges they  are encountering in their research—such as methodological, ethical, or writing-related difficulties—that they would like to discuss and receive feedback on.
• Please submit your abstract as a single PDF-file to gsoses.conference@ur.de
• Applicants will be notified about the results by the end of April at the latest.

Organised by:

Katarina Damčević (IOS Regensburg), Nikola Gajić (IOS Regensburg), Cindy Wittke (IOS Regensburg)

In cooperation with: 

Graduate School for East and Southeast European Studies (UR), IOS Regensburg, Conflict and Cooperation in Eastern Europe