SSRC Update - August 2012

New from SSRC Books: Transitional Justice and Displacement

The fifth volume in the SSRC Books Advancing Transitional Justice series, Transitional Justice and Displacement, edited by Roger Duthie, examines the capacity of transitional justice measures to address displacement, engage the justice claims of displaced persons, and support durable solutions, and analyzes the links between transitional justice and the interventions of humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding actors. The result of a collaborative research project of the International Center for Transitional Justice and the Brookings-LSE Project on Internal Displacement, the book makes a compelling case for ensuring that justice measures address displacement and that, in turn, responses to displacement incorporate transitional justice.

Research findings from the Measure of America book A Portrait of California are appearing on billboards across California as part of the Health Happens Here campaign, a community-based health initiative supported by The California Endowment. Powerful images pair MOA life-expectancy data with relevant state legislation, raising awareness of links between living and health standards.

The Conflict Prevention and Peace Forum (CPPF) facilitated a workshop in Monrovia for the United Nations and the government of Liberia to assist with planning for the gradual handover of security and other related responsibilities currently performed by the UN Mission in Liberia. Taking part were key representatives from government, security, and rule-of-law institutions, members of the legislature and civil society, and independent experts and UN members.

Coordinated by Migration Program director Josh DeWind, the second edition of the Anthology on Migrant Remittances and Development has been published on the SSRC website and is now available for download. Offering a collection of articles that are based on empirical research and relevant to both researchers and policymakers, this new edition features an expanded exploration of the effects of remittances on social aspects of development (including gender relations and family cohesion) and a new section that examines sociocultural (nonmonetary) remittances.

The Inter-Asia Program is now accepting faculty proposals to organize and direct thematic workshops for the fourth Conference on Inter-Asian Connections, to be held in Istanbul in October 2013. Workshops will have the dual aim of showcasing innovative research from across the social sciences and related disciplines and exploring themes that transform conventional understandings of Asia. Proposals are due October 2.

SSRC Fellows are sharing knowledge through a range of outlets: Emily Taguchi (Abe Journalist 2011) reported on changes in the Japanese energy industry for Public Radio International's The World, Robert Samet (Drugs, Security, and Democracy 2011) wrote about assessing the homicide rate in Caracas for the Christian Science Monitor, and Paul Blustein (Abe 2010) wrote two papers on the challenges of global financial oversight for Canada's Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI).

Eurasia Program alumni Eric McGlinchey and Scott Radnitz are each on the short list for the Central Eurasian Studies Society Book Award. The winner will be announced in October.

Read an excerpt from the recent NYU Press/SSRC book The Post-Secular in Question at The Immanent Frame.

Deadlines are approaching for a number of SSRC fellowships and grants, including the Abe Fellowship (September 1), the Abe Fellowship for Journalists (September 15), the DPDF Faculty Field Competition (October 3), the International Dissertation Research Fellowship (November 7), and the Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa dissertation fellowships (December 1).