The 20th Annual International Conference of the Igbo Studies Association (ISA) Dominican University, River Forest, Chicago, Illinois, USA
May 11 - 13, 2023
Theme: Ndu na Odimma Ndi Igbo: Igbo Life and Wellbeing
The Igbo Studies Association (ISA) invites submissions from scholars and professionals working on all aspects of studies on the Igbo in Nigeria and diaspora, for its 20th Annual International Conference, which will hold on May 11 – 13, 2023, at Dominican University, Chicago, USA.
National politics and global political economy affect the Igbo in Nigeria and diaspora, who commit and contribute to improving the sociopolitical realities of their societies. Like other ethnicities in Africa, the Igbo have faced many challenges both social and political. Some of them include the increasing insignificance of the Igbo language. As the saying goes, a people without a language is a people without a soul. The death of the Igbo language will lead to the death of Igbo identity and culture.
Many other issues influence the Igbo life today. But the Igbo know themselves as hardworking people who do not cave to despair. Having survived slavery, colonialism, and the civil war, the Igbo have evolved a strong will to live. Building on last year’s conference theme, “Onye Aghana Nwa Nne Ya,” this year’s conference seeks to explore ways to uplift the Igbo life and wellbeing.
Under the theme, Ndu na Odimma Ndi Igbo: Igbo Life and Wellbeing, the ISA 20th Annual International Conference will provide opportunities for scholars to engage with their colleagues and share their research in interdisciplinary dialogue and exhibition on this topic and other contemporary issues facing the Igbo in Nigeria and the diaspora. The sub-themes include, but are not limited to:
- Igbo people and culture
- Language endangerment and preservation
- Igbo philosophy of progress
- Translation, language education, teaching and learning of languages
- Igbo and diaspora experience
- Igbo representation in politics and government
- Leadership and development
- True federalism, decentralization, and inclusive government
- Resource extraction, control, and redistribution
- Social infrastructure and development
- Drug use, abuse, effects, and control of mkpuru mmiri
- Crime, kidnapping, and jungle justice
- Stress management and self-care
- Preventive medicine and wellbeing
- Personal lifestyle and wellbeing
- Wealth accumulation, merited and unmerited accolades
- Entrepreneurship and economic development
- Cryptocurrency, security, and investment
- Land ownership and access to capital
- Banking and loaning schemes
- Trade, craft, apprenticeship system, and economic development
- Feminism, gender, and human development
- Youth and child empowerment
- Education and development
- Family, kinship, and village associations
- Religion, morality, and immorality
- Power and wealth
- Poverty and human security
- Literary appreciation of Igbo music and folklore
- Nollywood, visual art, and representation of reality
- Social media and activism
- Etc.
Submission Guidelines
Please submit an abstract of 250-300 words, prepared in MS-Word and according to the submission guidelines. Submit your abstract online through the ISA website. Papers can be written in Igbo or English. All abstracts not prepared according to the submission guidelines will be rejected. The abstract should include the title of your proposed paper, poster, panel or round-table, your motivation for proposing the work, thesis or hypothesis, theoretical framework, references, and projected conclusions. It should also include your names in full, status and institutional affiliation, mailing address, phone number, and e-mail address.
Acceptance and Conference Fees
If your abstract is accepted, you will be notified in writing with information on how to pay a non-refundable annual membership fee of $50. You will also be advised on how to pay a conference fee that will permit you to present your paper at the conference.
Deadlines
Deadline for abstract submission: December 31, 2022 (Extended till February 28, 2023)
Deadline to submit a completed paper: March 31, 2023
Selected papers will be considered for publication in a post-conference edited volume.
For more information and regular conference updates, please visit the ISA website at: www.igbostudiesassociation.org.
For any inquiries, please contact:
Dr. Chidi N. Igwe
Program Chair
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.