The universities in the Network of Universities of Small Countries and Territories (NUSCT) co-operation are all part of small-scale societies, and the theme of the conference is which role universities have in such societies.
Universities in small scale societies have a different role to play in their communities, whether it is local or national, compared to universities in large countries. Many universities in these societies are established with a certain purpose, e.g. to stop out-migration or to preserve local culture and language. Universities can also play a vital role in modernizing local communities, and in this effort, universities often have a close connection to political institutions. These purposes can give universities in small scale societies certain challenges. A consequence can be, that there is more focus on education and applied science than in universities in larger societies.
In line with this theme, the call welcomes presentations on the following topics:
- The prioritization of research fields in small scale societies – e.g. society, culture, language, health, basic research or applied research
- Demographic challenges – societal role of universities in terms of migration and gender
- Universities as identity bearers – local, national, and regional
- Transformation of societies – and the universities role in it
- The role of the university in democracy and political institutions
The call welcomes abstracts for papers of max. 300 words, and a short biography of no more than 100 words, with your name and current affiliation. Deadline has been extended to February 1st 2025. All proposals should be emailed to:
Erling Isholm
Faculty for History and Social Sciences
University of the Faroe Islands
Jónas Broncksgøta 25, FO-100 Tórshavn
Faroe Islands