28-30/05/2020 - The Annual Conference GIS 2020 (Romania)

Understanding Border Securitization in Contemporary Societies
28 – 30 May 2020 | Babeș-Bolyai University Cluj-Napoca (Romania)

Border securitization remains a salient issue for many countries in the context of recent domestic and international political developments. Important waves of transnational migration, the management of post-conflict areas, problematic transitions to democracy, the spread of terror attacks, the emergence of unconventional threats have contributed to a broad debate about the direction and intensity of border securitization in contemporary societies. The meaning of border securitization changes over time, its causes are complex, its functions vary across settings and its consequences are often under-explored.

This conference aims to bring together works addressing any of these four elements of border securitization: the understanding, causes, functioning and consequences. The event will gather a group of 30 researchers working on these topics in order to facilitate the knowledge sharing and a better understanding of current events. The organizers strive for a balance between established academics, early career scholars (PhD candidates may also apply) and practitioners. We encourage theoretical, empirical or methodological papers on any aspects related to developments and approaches in the field of border securitization. Papers can cover any country or region of the world, there are no limitations in terms of geographical focus.