DIR 2024
Program and Speakers
The DIR 2024 Conference themed “Building the Narrative” will take place in-person at the Fletcher School for Law and Diplomacy (“Fletcher“) and is open for the Tufts University community and beyond. All sessions will be available to attend both in-person and virtually via Zoom. We would love to see you at this year’s DIR. Please register in advance to get the Zoom access credentials.
The Conference will be held at Fletcher’s Cabot Intercultural Center. For location and parking, visit here.
Below are the session’s information showing their content, location, and time (for speakers bios are hyperlinked to each speaker name):
DAY ONE
Session 1: Enduring Narratives in Settler Colonialism | 10:45 AM – 11:45 AM | Cabot 703
The events of the past year in Israel/Palestine have introduced settler colonialism to a mainstream audience, with dozens of articles published in newspapers and magazines challenging the legitimacy of the framework in general and in this specific case. The session will explore the enduring legacy and pervasiveness of settler narratives and their material consequences, primarily in relation to Israel/Palestine, while also drawing parallels to other settler colonial contexts. The panelists will discuss the origins, purposes, and evolution of Zionist settler colonial narratives, as well as countervalent Palestinian narratives, which together shed light on enduring social and power dynamics. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on a topic with crucial relevance for events unfolding today.
Speakers:
Moderator: Amaia Elorza Arregi
Session 2: Climate Justice in Policy and Practice | 1:50 PM – 3:00 PM | Cabot 702
This session explores the intersections of climate change, globalized extractive industries, and land dispossession. Speakers are invited to first give a five-minute introduction to their research or conceptualizations of climate justice as it relates to the (dis)empowerment of marginalized communities through narratives, framing, and ultimately, action. In a moderated discussion, speakers will consider how researchers and practitioners can contribute positively to climate justice as part of a decolonial future. They will examine how colonial narratives shape the climate crisis and its impacts on ecosystems and labor conditions. The session will highlight the persistence of imperial narratives in academic and environmental justice spaces.
Speakers:
Moderator: Bethany Tietjen
Session 3: Legacies of Empire: Migration | 1:50 – 3:00 PM | Cabot 703
This panel will explore the interplay between colonialism and migration, focusing on how colonial dynamics continue to shape national and international migration policies. Experts will examine the unequal impact these policies have on human mobility and discuss how colonial histories inform contemporary migration practices. The session will also address how national borders serve as contested spaces of injustice and explore possibilities for rethinking and challenging their primacy.
Speakers:
Moderator: Katrina Burgess
Session 4: Imperialism and Racial Capitalism | 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM | Cabot 702
This session will delve into the intersections of imperialism and racial capitalism, examining how empires’ extractive models have historically influenced and continue to shape racialized economic systems. Experts will present research on the enduring legacies of racism, capitalism, and imperialism, highlighting how these structures of domination persist and adapt over time. The session will feature presentations, a moderated discussion, and a Q&A, focusing on how imperial power structures reinforce economic and racial inequalities.
Speakers:
Moderator: Sonal Sharma
Opening Plenary and Keynote Address | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM | Cabot 703
- Hartman Deetz
- Elisabeth Leake
- KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Balakrishnan Rajagopal, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing
DAY TWO
Session 1: Fletcher and Decolonization 101 | 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM | Cabot 703
After listening to opening remarks by Assistant Dean Adrian Thomas, join us for the Fletcher and Decolonization 101 session. Led by Professors Bridget Conley, Chidi Odinkalu, and moderated by Professor Alnoor Ebrahim, this session will delve into The Fletcher School’s colonial legacy and its role in decolonization. The panel will examine how historical ties to colonialism have shaped the institution and discuss how academic bodies can actively work to dismantle colonial legacies. The conversation will address challenges in higher education and explore how institutions can contribute to a more equitable global governance model through decolonization initiatives inside and outside the classroom.
Speakers:
Moderator: Alnoor Ebrahim
Session 2: Interrogating the Narrative | 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM | Cabot 702
This workshop focuses on examining traditional colonial narratives and historiography. Participants will be guided in recognizing and utilizing critical approaches to these narratives, with an emphasis on reorienting them to incorporate indigenous histories. Through practical examples and methodological discussions, attendees will learn to critically assess dominant colonial tropes and apply their newfound understanding to real-world contexts. This session is designed for students, academics, and individuals passionate about decolonizing historical narratives and challenging entrenched colonial perspectives.
Workshop Leader:
Session 3: Development Aid and Influence | 1:15 PM – 2:30 PM | Cabot 702
This session will explore the complexities of development and humanitarian aid when it comes to narratives of resilience in refugee spaces. Fletcher Professor of International Politics and Conflict Tamirace Fakhoury will present on her research before sitting down for a conversation with Georgetown Walsh School of Foreign Service Professor Emma Smith. The session will explore how the marginalized communities of refugees have resisted, reinterpreted, or refashioned aid to suit their specific contexts. The discussion will examine the narratives propagated by state and non-state actors that shape perceptions of development and humanitarian aid. Overall, this session will address critical issues such as the problematic stories behind development and humanitarian aid, as well as explore potential alternate frameworks. This session is ideal for those examining the evolution and future role of aid in global governance.
Speakers:
Moderator: Emma Smith
Session 4: Lightning Talks |3:30 PM – 4:45 PM | Cabot 703
This lightning talks session will feature current and past Fletcher students actively engaged in projects that explore various dimensions of colonialism and its lasting impact. Participants will present on a wide range of topics, showcasing the innovative and critical work conducted in and around our community aimed at anti-imperialism and decolonization. By highlighting diverse projects, the session aims to foster a deeper understanding of the ongoing challenges and opportunities in the decolonization process. Attendees will gain insight into the multifaceted approaches being taken by Fletcher students and alumni to dismantle colonial structures and promote justice and equity in global contexts.
Speakers:
- Amaia Elorza Arregi
- Dipali Anumol
- Emma Bixler
- Yael Krifcher
Session 4: International Law: Liberatory or Coercive? | 3:30 PM – 4:45 PM | Cabot 702
This session will explore the dual nature of international law as both a liberatory and coercive force. Legal scholars will examine the historical narratives surrounding the development of international law, highlighting how its language and framework have been used to regulate state and non-state actors. The discussion will challenge the colonial narratives embedded within international legal frameworks and explore how these structures continue to shape global governance. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of international law, particularly regarding its potential to either promote justice or perpetuate coercion.
Speakers:
Moderator: Abdullah Alharoun
Full Schedule
The Conference venue is wheelchair accessible. Virtual participants will receive a Zoom link after registration.
For event location and parking information, visit contact us page.