Nonprofits and the Social Economy: From Far and Wide

The Association for Nonprofit and Social Economy Research (ANSER) is a dynamic growing association that is organizing its tenth annual conference as part of the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences. 

The conference, to be held at Ryerson University in Toronto, is an opportunity to welcome and explore the power of ideas to connect people and communities, encourage discussions and debates and to create knowledge and change. Within this context, nonprofits and other social economy organizations are well poised to lead these discussions.

ANSER invites you to submit proposals for individual papers, panels, or roundtable discussions on topics related to nonprofits, co-operatives, social enterprises, community economic development, and the social economy in Canadian, comparative, or international contexts. Proposals are particularly encouraged that fit into any of the following areas, broadly defined:

• Nonprofits and the Social Economy: From Far and Wide
• Co-operatives
• Social Enterprises, Social Entrepreneurship, & Social Innovation
• Community Economic Development & Community Organizing
• Volunteering & Citizen Engagement
• Collaborations, Partnerships & Mergers
• Communication, Networking & Social Media
• Finance, Governance & Management
• Research Methodologies & Community-University Research Partnerships
• Public Policy & Government Relations
• Theoretical Perspectives
• From Research to Practice

Proposals of wider relevance are also accepted, which may not fit the categories listed above. ANSER is particularly interested in papers, panels and roundtables involving collaboration between academics and practitioners.

1) Paper Proposals

Paper proposals normally present research findings with some link to or reflection on theory, but they could also be "think pieces," discussions of research-in-progress, including graduate theses or dissertations, or reflections on practice. The proposal abstract for a paper should include:

1. a title;
2. the conference theme being addressed;
3. a 100-word abstract of the presentation; and
4. a 250-word summary of the argument of the paper, how the issue fits within a wider literature (as appropriate), and its relevance to research and/or practice in the areas of interest to ANSER.

You will also be asked to provide very brief biographical information on the author(s).

2) Panel Proposals

Panels are collections of three or four papers on a related theme. Ideally, these papers build upon each other, thereby adding to the coherence of the panel. Panel organizers are responsible for preparing an abstract of the panel as a whole. For panels comprising 3 presenters, each individual will be expected to speak for no longer than 20 minutes; for panels of 4 presenters, each participant will be expected to speak for no longer than 15 minutes. To allow adequate time for questions and discussion, the panel chair should ensure that presenters do not exceed the time limit.

The abstract for a panel should include:

1. a title;
2. the conference theme being addressed;
3. 100-word overview of each paper and of the focus of the panel, including the coherence of the individual papers around this focus, and the relevance of the panel to research and/or practice in the areas of interest to ANSER; and
4. for each paper, a 250-word summary of the argument of the paper, how the issue fits within a wider literature (as appropriate), and its relevance to research and/or practice in the areas of interest to ANSER.

You will also be asked to provide brief biographical information on each of the authors.

3) Roundtables

Roundtables are well suited to: the discussion of the implications of an issue for practice; the discussion of research needs or research in progress around specific topics; or the presentation of contrasting perspectives on an issue with a designated facilitator. Roundtable presenters are not expected to provide written papers. It is expected that a roundtable will have 3 or more participants.

The abstract for a roundtable should include:

1. a title;
2. the conference theme being addressed;
3. a 100-word overview of the topic to be discussed, indication of the relationship of the individual presentations to the topic, and the relevance of the roundtable to research and/or practice in the areas of interest to ANSER; and
4. a 250-word summary of the key points of each presenter.

You will also be asked to provide brief biographical information on each participant.

Submission and Decision of Proposals

Proposal abstracts, in either official language, must be submitted online by January 11, 2017. 

Submit a proposal abstract for the ANSER 2017 Conference

A link to the online system is also available at www.anser-ares.ca. Any questions can be directed to siemensl at uvic.ca.

All proposals will be subject to peer review and notification of acceptance will be provided by February 17, 2017. Presenters will be required to confirm their participation by submitting their conference registration fee no later than April 15, 2017.

Learn more about the ANSER 2017 Conference