North American Hinduism Unit
Emerging Scholars in the Study of Hinduism and Migration in the Americas (panel session)
The North American Hinduism unit invites emerging scholars in the study of Hinduism and migration in the Americas. The primary goal of this panel is to showcase the work of graduate students and junior scholars studying the intersection of Hinduism and migration, with a focus on the Americas. Our unit is especially interested in showcasing emerging scholars who are contemplating the value of diasporic frames, utilizing novel methodologies (i.e. ethnographic, ethnomusicology, cultural studies, social media analysis) and/or studying topics related to caste, race, gender, sexuality, or climate/environment. We aim to learn from these new scholars in terms of the content of their research and also to provide a national platform for career development and networking. Panelists will also be paired with a more senior scholar to mentor them in advance of the AAR.
Overview:
This Unit was established in 2006 for the purpose of drawing greater scholarly attention to Hinduisms outside of South Asia. Though it will focus on North America, the Unit also welcomes relevant research on Hinduisms and related South Asian traditions and cultures in other non-Indian contexts. The Unit has three main goals: • To study and describe Hinduisms in North America and related diaspora contexts • To develop a more sophisticated understanding of what distinguishes these Hinduisms from those in South Asia • To nurture thoughtful debate on the methodologies unique to and appropriate for their study.
Call for Proposals:
The Steering Committee composes the Call for Proposals for NAH sessions for the AAR Annual Meeting; Steering Committee chairs facilitate proposals for the emerging scholars panel, all other proposals in the CFP are overseen by a point person, Steering Committee reviews, shapes and accepts proposals for submitted sessions; reviews and reports on sessions; and communicates with the NAH constituency.
Composition:
The Steering Committee is made up of 7 members, two of whom are elected or determined by consensus by the steering committee to serve as co-chairs. A Steering Committee term is three years, renewable for a second three years if everyone is amenable. The terms are staggered, so that there are continuity and change on the committee. During a total of six possible years, a member might serve a co-chair term, which is three years. A member elected to serve as co-chair has at least one full year’s experience on the Steering Committee. The co-chair elections are staggered as well, so that each new co-chair serves with an experienced co-chair.
Responsibilities:
The co-chairs are responsible for conducting the business meeting of NAH, completing the post-AAR Annual Meeting survey, initiating review of proposals, working with steering committee members and submitters to put together sessions, and moderate communication of the Steering Committee. All members of the Steering Committee make decisions on substantive matters. All attend the Annual Meeting. All attend the NAH Business Meeting.
Succession:
Members of the Steering Committee are replaced by the following procedure: when there is a vacancy, after the Annual Meeting the co-chairs ask the NAH constituency for nominations. From among the nominees, the Steering Committee votes to elect a new member.
| Chair | Dates | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dheepa Sundaram, University of Denver | dheepa.sundaram@du.edu | - | View |
| Rupa Pillai | rupillai@sas.upenn.edu | - | View |
Pre-arranged panels should reflect gender, caste, and racial/ethnic diversity as well as diversity of field, method, and scholarly rank as appropriate.
• To diversity session presenters’ composition, we combine anonymous review with other review practices, such as making proposer names visible to chairs but anonymous to steering committee members. Co-chairs also work with potential session proposers to assist them creating sessions that reflect diversity of the field and are inclusive in their approach to proposed panelists.
• Assign presiders and respondents with an eye to diversity and bridges with new constituencies.
• Co-Chairs will try to put together an "Emerging Scholars in North American Hinduism" which will include a mentor from the steering committee, a chance to workshop their paper with this mentor, and an opportunity to present new research for feedback. We see this panel as establishing our commitment to supporting early career scholars in the field and providing a space for this research at the Annual Meeting.
• All session reviews are conducted by the co-chairs and steering committee with an eye towards representation of diverse voices with attention to providing a platform for marginalized and minoritized groups within the Academy at large and within North American Hindu spaces in particular