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Workshops in Sri Lanka

Call for Proposals for Workshops in Sri Lanka

The American Institute for Sri Lankan Studies in Colombo sponsors a program of workshops that are convened by US-based scholars. To date, we have held fourteen workshops. We seek proposals for additional workshops for 2007 and 2008.

There is no standard format for the workshops, nor is there a set topic. The goal is an exchange of ideas and views, with the aim of encouraging collaboration between US-based scholars and Sri Lankan scholars and other professionals. While it may be appropriate to draw on the expertise of senior and well-established Sri Lankan figures for some workshops, we also hope to include Sri Lankans with few or no international connections. The staff at the AISLS office in Colombo can assist workshop convenors in identifying participants.

Topics may extend across the humanities, social sciences, and policy sciences. A workshop might focus on research in progress by a US-based participant or participants. A workshop might also address the "state of a field" with Sri Lankan participants asked to open the discussion. Sri Lankan scholars or other professionals may be asked to lead all or part of a particular workshop.

The Colombo office can provide honoraria and local travel expenses for participants. It can also cover such expenses as the rental of space and equipment, working meals, and refreshments. The AISLS office in Colombo will provide logistical support to the workshop convenors.

If you are interested in proposing a workshop, please contact or any other AISLS officer.

2007 Workshop

"Women, Development and Social Activism," convened by Jeanne Marecek and Ira Unamboowe, July 2007. Workshop members viewed and discussed the video The Shape of Water.  Four participants subsequently co-authored a review for the journal Feminism & Psychology.

2006 Workshop

"Post-Tsunami Trends and Sri Lanka's Future," convened by C.R. de Silva and Jeanne Marecek, Colombo, June, 12, 2006. The workshop included presentations by Godfrey Goonetileke, Saman Kelegama, Ramani Muttetuwegama, Sasanka Perera, Jezima Ismail and Jehan Perera.

2005 Workshops

"Ways of Seeing—At Home and Away", convened by Abby Robinson,
Peradeniya, August 9, 2005.


The workshop explored how an artist goes about making a body of work based on his or her background, culture, and interests. Using her own photographs from the US, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka, Robinson described how her academic and job history influenced the images she makes. She also discussed the impact that her travels—primarily in Asia—have had on her photographs in terms of subject matter, content, and color. Robinson also showed images from her latest series, "In Camera," which examines photographic studios that still use painted backdrops. The photos shown here were taken in Sri Lanka.

Bookcase
Bookcase


Road
Road


Red Chair
Red Chair


"Sri Lanka—Portugal Links," convened by C.R. de Silva, Colombo,
June 2005.


Sri Lanka-Portugal workshop Sri Lanka-Portugal workshop


"Sinhala Literature," convened by Charles Hallisey, Colombo, May 2005.

Sinhala literature workshop Sinhala literature workshop Sinhala literature workshop

Earlier Workshops

"Faculty Development in Higher Education," Colombo, September 30-October 1, 2004.

"Suicide in Sri Lanka," convened by Jeanne Marecek, Colombo, September 5, 2004.

"Pesticides and Food Safety," convened by Cindy Caron, Colombo, August 20, 2004.

"School Curriculum Development and Education Reforms," convened by Sterling Perera, Colombo, June 20, 2004.
Muslim Workshop
Muslims of Sri Lanka Workshop

"Muslims of Sri Lanka: History, Culture, Politics," convened by Dennis McGilvray, Colombo, July 26, 2003.

"The Home and the World: Changing Ethnic Identities in Sri Lanka," convened by Amita Shastri and C.R. de Silva, Colombo, June 14, 2003.

"Gender Theory and Practice," convened by Jeanne Marecek and Vidyamali Samarasinghe, Colombo, August 9-10, 2002. A brief report on this workshop's proceedings is available from

"Material Culture and the History of Society: The Social Archaeology of Pre Modern Sri Lanka," convened by Chandra R. de Silva and Sudarshan Seneviratne, Peradeniya, June 6, 2002.

"Current Issues in Education," convened by Chandra R. de Silva and W. Sterling Perera, Colombo, May 18, 2002.

"Information Technology for Librarians and Archivists," convened by David Magier in association with the Department of National Archives, September 2001. Magier's visit to Sri Lanka was part of an ongoing initiative by the Center for South Asia Libraries to coordinate and support South Asian efforts to preserve and disseminate research materials.

 

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