Undergraduate Scholars Conference in Israel Studies

A conference for undergraduate scholars examining the history and heritage of Israel and what the future holds for the country.

Sunday, June 3, 2018
11:00 AM - 4:30 PM
UCLA Public Affairs, Room 2343

Full Conference Program Now Available

The UCLA Y&S Nazarian Center for Israel Studies invites submissions to its inaugural Undergraduate Scholars Conference in Israel Studies on Sunday, June 3, 2018.

About the Conference

In 2018, the State of Israel will celebrate the 70th anniversary of its establishment. While Israel has had to deal with difficulties on the battlefield and schisms in society, it has also made remarkable achievements in the fields of culture, economics, and technological innovations. This landmark is the perfect opportunity to examine the history and heritage of Israel while asking: what does the future hold for this complex and fascinating country? The above issues will be addressed in the conference "Back to the Future: Israel at 70 - Examining Israel’s history and what the future may hold."

Presentations on all facets of the Israeli past (including the pre-state settlement in Palestine), present and future will be considered, including but not limited to: regional geopolitics; Israeli-Palestinian conflict; politics and government; societal diversity/divisions; religion and democracy; economic development and science/technology innovations; environmental sustainability; and land use/urban planning.

Submissions

Undergraduate students are invited to submit abstracts of 100-250 words for presentations based on their research and original analysis (e.g., based on a paper written for a class, or research project conducted as part of a larger effort or primarily for the purposes of the conference). Diverse philosophical, theoretical and methodological approaches are welcome. The estimated time for each presentation is 10-15 minutes.

Students are also encouraged to submit a complete paper for the conference (8-15 pages in length, minus bibliography). Please note that students interested in presenting at the conference do not need to submit a paper.

Awards (consisting of a plaque and monetary award) will be given for the top presentations and best papers in selected categories. Papers will be judged based on originality, depth of research and analysis, and quality of writing.

Awards for first-place presentation and first-place paper: $350 (for each winner)

Second place in each category: $150

Abstract submissions are due by: Friday, May 18 (NEW DATE)
Students will be notified as to whether their abstracts have been accepted for presentation by: Monday, May 21

Paper submissions are due by: Friday, May 25 (only students whose abstracts have been accepted for presentation may submit papers)

Travel Allowances

Students planning on attending the conference can request a travel allowance (up to $300/student is available) when submitting their abstracts. Those seeking funding will need to:

1. Provide the address from which they will be traveling (only students traveling from outside of Los Angeles County are eligible for this assistance) when they submit their abstract
2. After the conference, submit their mileage count to the Y&S Nazarian Center for reimbursement if they drove or submit receipts for tickets purchased for travel to the conference by other means, e.g., air or train travel.    

Please note that there are no registration fees for students joining the conference.

Questions

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Shaiel Ben-Ephraim, Nazarian Center Post-doctoral Fellow, at shaielb@ucla.edu