Thank you for your interest in the South Asia SIG at CIES.

The mission of the South Asia SIG is to create a community of researchers, policy-makers and practitioners interested in educational and social issues related to South Asia and South Asian Diaspora. The group aims to provide the much needed space for discussing and exchanging current research, policy, and best practices from the region and beyond and to serve as a networking forum for graduate students, practitioners, policy makers and researchers. We also publish monthly newsletters for our SIG members to assist in this community-building initiative by highlighting research and practices related to the field of education and development in a South Asian perspective. For a more in-depth view of the SIG's initiatives please visit our Facebook group page at:https://www.facebook.com/groups/290085204434162/.

 

About Us

What is the mission of the SASIG?
The goal and mission of the SIG is to create a community of education researchers, policymakers, and practitioners interested in educational and social change issues in South Asia and among the South Asian Diaspora. The group aims to provide the much needed space for discussing and exchanging current research, policy, and best practices from the region and beyond and to serve as a networking forum for graduate students, practitioners, policy makers and researchers.

What benefits are there for becoming a member of the SASIG?
Networking! Being part of a community with similar interests opens doors! We plan to expand our organizing efforts by connecting with various South Asian research groups and university centers across the world. Also having an audience at CIES that understands your work on some level is helpful.

Who is on the current executive board and how long is their term?
The board was elected at CIES 2011. Each member serves a 2-year term. The current board members are:

CHAIRPERSON: Radhika Iyengar (Earth Institute, Columbia University) [bio]
PROGRAM CHAIR: Matthew Witenstein (Claremont Graduate University) [bio]
SECRETARY: Erik Byker (Stephen F. Austin State University) [bio]

There seems to be a core group already, why do you need more members?
The more members we have, the more time we are allocated at the conference for our panels and the more funds we have for our activities and initiatives.

I want to present on a SASIG panel. What do I have to do?
Please refer to our SIG homepage to read more about the call for papers for CIES,which is published around September.

Does this mean I have to become a member of CIES and the SASIG to submit a proposal?
Yes. In order to submit a proposal (and to eventually present) on a SASIG sponsored panel, you must be a member of CIES and the SASIG.

Why should I pay?
Your small $10 contribution goes a long way. Part of this money goes to CIES central board as our year dues and any remaining funds can be used to host events and other initiatives, such as financial support for students or scholars in South Asia to attend the conference or a small reception at the conference.

What initiative has been taken so far for SIG members?
IThe South Asia SIG honors its membership with two initiatives. First, we have an annual Best Dissertation Award competition that recognizes a SIG member’s Ph.D. dissertation on a South Asian issue. Second, we also host an annual Best Paper Award competition that recognizes a SIG member’s journal article on a South Asian theme. We keep you updated these award competitions and new initiatives through our monthly newsletters and in our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/290085204434162/. We also have two highlighted panels at the annual CIES conferences. But, the number of SIG highlighted panels during annual conferences depends on our SIG membership. Therefore, the SIG counts on your membership participation to continue to grow and bring more professional opportunities for you.

Membership

1. To become a member of the South Asia SIG, you can pay the $10 in dues at: https://subfill.uchicago.edu/JournalPUBS/Donation.aspx?webpub=cernale. Alternatively, you can also pay the $10 dues when you register for the annual CIES conference through the online registration system.

Annual membership fee is $10
*Not yet a member of Comparative and International Education society (CIES)? Join here.

Links

University of Pennsylvania’s South Asia Center: http://www.southasiacenter.upenn.edu/
CIES South Asia SIG blog: sasigcies.wordpress.com
Center for South Asia: southasia.wisc.edu
Center for Bhutan Studies: bhutanstudies.org.bt
Swedish South Asia Studies Network: sasnet.lu.se/sasnet-news
American Institute of Indian Studies: indiastudies.org
American Institute of Pakistan Studies: pakistanstudies-aips.org
American Institute of Bangladesh Studies: aibs.net
American Institute of Sri Lanka Studies: aisls.org
SANN Research Institute: sannr.com/intl_colg_nepal.htm
Global Forum on Indian Higher Education: gfihe.org

News and Announcements

Please send us your announcements/contributions/pictures/relevant information to prepare our newsletter! sasig.cies@gmail.com