National Workshop for Young Researchers
Studying Discrimination & Exclusion: Theories, Methods and Policies
3 - 7 October 2023
Concept Note
Studying discrimination and exclusion has been traditionally neglected, but has emerged in recent times as one of the most challenging areas of research in social sciences and humanities. The visibilisation of discrimination and exclusion, new methods to study such phenomenon, framing of inclusive policies and demands for reparations in the last century make for compelling areas of study in social sciences and humanities. These also bring to the fore complexities of dealing with overlapping marginalizations and disadvantages emanating from socially constructed identities, which the researcher often encounters. This workshop intends to introduce young scholars to the theoretical underpinnings, debates, new methods and complexities of policy formulation and implementation, arising from studying discrimination and exclusion in the hope that these open up new vistas of research in the study of the human worlds and societies.
The workshop on "Studying Discrimination & Exclusion: Theories, Methods and Policies" seeks to bring together young scholars and researchers to explore wide ranging themes evolving from the study of discrimination and exclusion and to map out the emerging frontiers and implications for such social inquiry. The workshop aims to provide a platform for sharing research work, experiences, insights, and practices using diverse social science research methods. It seeks to promote dialogue and collaboration among young scholars across disciplinary formations on the intersecting themes, nature of inquiry, and methodological challenges and possibilities for engaging with the study of discrimination and exclusion.
The workshop will be led by Dr. Amit Thorat and Dr. Kaustav Banerjee and is organised by the Kerala Council for Historical Research in Thiruvananthapuram.
Objectives
The main objectives of the workshop are:
- To trace the emergence of the study of discrimination and exclusion in contemporary social sciences and humanities.
- To engage with the works of select theorists and schools of thought which contributed in the visibilisation of such processes in social sciences and humanities.
- To unpack the persistence of group differences in well-being and economic out comes
- To explore newer research methods and approaches that can identify, quantify and address such phenomenon.
- To discuss ethical issues, subject and community related challenges in studying discrimination and exclusion.
- To explore the interplay and intersections between different theories, research methods and policy approaches in studying discrimination and exclusion in social science and humanities
- To reflect on the emerging frontiers and implications of studying discrimination and exclusion in social science and humanities.
Workshop Outline
The workshop is meant for researchers interested in studying various aspects of discrimination and exclusion by engaging with theories, methods and policies under the following themes.
Day 1 | Evolution of the study of discrimination and exclusion: This theme will trace the emergence of the study of discrimination and exclusion in the last century, especially the post-war period (i.e. post 1945). It will also introduce students to the works of select theorists and schools of thought (namely Marxist, Ambedkarite, Critical Race Theory and Feminist) which contributed to the visibilisation of such processes in social sciences and humanities.
Day 2 | New research methods to uncover discrimination and exclusion, part 1: This theme will explore various quantitative research methods such as face to face and telephonic surveys (to capture opinions and perceptions), experimental methods, correspondence studies and statistical analysis. The discussion will focus on the benefits and challenges of using large data sets, their role in triangulating research findings, and their potential for generating new insights. The discussion will focus on creating and evolving new methods to capture hitherto (un)observed/ captured/enumerated phenomenon of exclusion and/or discrimination.
Day 3 | New research methods to uncover discrimination and exclusion, part 2: This theme will explore the complexities, interplay and intersections between different theories, research methods and policy approaches in studying discrimination and exclusion in social science and humanities. The discussion will focus on the benefits and challenges of using mixed-methods approaches, their role in triangulating research findings, and their potential for generating new insights. Ethical issues, subject and community related challenges in studying discrimination and exclusion will be discussed. Strengths and limitations of these methods, their applicability in different social contexts, and their role in testing and refining existing theories will be explored.
Day 4 | Morning Session: Policies to address discrimination and exclusion – affirmative action, reparations, restitution, redistribution, decolonisation.
Afternoon Session: Participant presentation and discussion
Day 5 | Participant presentation and discussion
Outcomes
The workshop is expected to generate the following outcomes:
- An understanding of the broad directions of studying discrimination and exclusion in terms of theories, methods and policies
- Intersectionality(/ies) between different research methods, theories, and approaches
- Mapping of issues in studying discrimination and exclusion that can address emerging issues of social justice and decolonisation
- Ethics and biases in studying discrimination and exclusion.
Participants
The workshop is open to scholars, researchers, and practitioners from various social science and humanities disciplines and domains, including philosophy, sociology, history, anthropology, political science, economics, psychology, language and literature, creative expressions, education, law, gender studies, development studies, ecology, design, management, and others. It is specifically aimed at doctoral students and early-career researchers and practitioners who have completed their PhD. Prior knowledge of economics/statistics is not essential.
Call for Proposals
Proposals for the workshop are invited from doctoral students and early-career researchers and practitioners. Proposals should include current research topic and how the applicant’s research will benefit from studying discrimination and exclusion. The word limit for the proposal is 500 words. Participants whose applications are selected will be notified by email by 4 September 2023. Application is through an online form here.
Last Date for Submission of Applications
14 August 2023
Mode of Organisation
The workshop will take place in Thiruvananthapuram and is organised by the Kerala Council for Historical Research. Accommodation and meals for the duration of the workshop will be provided. Participants will be given travel allowance not exceeding AC three-tier fares to and from Thiruvananthapuram.
Resource Persons
Dr. Amit Thorat is Assistant Professor of Economics at the Centre for the Study of Regional Development at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Prior to this, he worked as an Associate Fellow at the National Council for Applied Economics Research, New Delhi, where he was part of the India Human Development Survey team. His research has been focused on issues of income, consumption, wealth, educational and health inequalities in general and across social, ethnic, regional and religious groups in particular, in the context of India. His current work involves understanding people’s beliefs around personal, communal and social identity in India and its implications for social behaviour, individual distress, economic and well-being outcomes at groups level.
More information on Dr Thorat’s research is here.
Dr. Kaustav Banerjee is Associate Professor of Global Studies at Ambedkar University Delhi. He is an economist specializing in agrarian systems, developmental policy and theories of exclusion and discrimination. He has 15 years of field based research experience in the most backward districts of the country. He has also been involved with the policy formulation and implementation process of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005. Additionally, he has been an Advisor to the Core Group of the Socio-Economic & Caste Census, 2011, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India which involved formulation of the pilot methodology and training of state level enumerators. He advised the Government of South Africa in 2016, on land reforms, agrarian development and rural economic transformation.
More information on Dr Banerjee’s research is here.
For more queries : kchrworkshops@gmail.com