Call for Papers

The conference will cover a range of topics. However, papers on the following subjects are of particular interest:

· Xi Jinping's leadership in comparative perspective
· Xi's engagement with China's classical traditions, and how those are turned to
political use in his published writings
· Reforms to the state structure and changes to leadership succession
· The anti-corruption campaign and its impact on political and economic development
· Central-local relations and the centralization of political authority
· Propaganda work and media censorship
· Ideological control and monitoring of Chinese academic institutions
· Popular support for Xi's government and changing patterns of political participation
· Nationalism, ethnic policy, and United Front work
· International trade, sustainable development, and poverty alleviation
· The Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Belt Road Initiative
· Sovereignty disputes concerning Taiwan, Diaoyu Islands, and the South China Sea
· The "export" of the norms and practices of Chinese politics to the developing world
· Promoting the export of Chinese cultural goods while limiting the reach of foreign cultural influences
· New narratives concerning Chinese aspirations for global leadership

Co-organizers Ashley Esarey (University of Alberta) and Rongbin Han (University of Georgia) encourage the submission of abstracts from scholars in any discipline in the humanities and the social sciences, with the aim of revising select conference papers for an edited volume published by a university press. Interested researchers should send abstracts of 400 words or less to ciua@ualberta.ca by January 21, 2019; for questions about the Xi Effect conference or book project, email ciua@ualberta.ca. Notifications of acceptance will go out on February 4. The China Institute will provide participants with lodging for three nights in Banff, meals during the conference, and limited travel expenses, when necessary.