Prospective chairs design and propose thematic sections in line with the general PEC conference call. Section proposals contain a brief overview of the proposed theme, a discussion of why and how the proposed theme is relevant to the general PEC call, and a provisional list of 5–10 panels/roundtables. 

Once the proposals are accepted, section calls are posted on the PEC website and section chairs are tasked with populating their section panels. Some section chairs handpick their participants and submit a fully formed list of panels/roundtables with participants. This might be a good idea if you are part of an established network of scholars working on a particular topic. Others prefer a more open approach and design their panels based on individual paper/panel submissions they receive through the PEC submission portal. This is a great way to bring new scholars into existing networks, or kickstart an entirely new group of research collaborators. 

Regular section chairs are then tasked with finalising and submitting their list of panels/roundtables to PEC programme chairs before the conference registration closes in April/May. 

• • Proposing a section theme and a preliminary list of possible panels at the proposal stage;
  • Adhering to EISA’s inclusivity agenda by ensuring that the section does not feature any all-male panels and maintaining a balance between established, emerging, and postgraduate scholars;
  • Composing the rest of the section’s programme by selecting papers that were proposed in response to the general call for papers;
  • Identifying panel chairs and discussants;
  • Taking overall responsibility for the execution of their section’s contribution to the conference programme.

While it might sound like being a Regular Section chair is a time-intensive enterprise, many of the tasks they undertake are spread across a long period of time. There are certain deadlines that section chairs need to adhere to (e.g. abstract submission, conference registration, etc.), but they do not need to actively work on their sections from January to September. Section chairs are likely to receive questions from their participants or will communicate regularly with PEC programme chairs, but these are likely to be concentrated around certain deadlines as detailed below. 

Here’s what the schedule for Regular Section chairs generally look like: 

• • September: Call for section chairs is published: Prospective section chairs design and submit their section proposals. 
  • January: Abstract submission opens: Section chairs start receiving paper/panel proposals and work on populating their sections. 
  • March: Abstract submission deadline. 
  • April: Section chairs finalise accepting paper/panel proposals. 
  • May: Acceptance Emails Sent / Registration Opens: Section chairs finalise their section programmes and submit them to PEC programme chairs. 
  • June: Registration deadline for participants in the programme. 
  • September: Time to enjoy the PEC! 

EISA members act as section chairs for different reasons. Some are interested in creating new networks of scholarship around particular topics and developments in the discipline, and they use their sections as platforms to generate such networks. Some sections represent significant constituencies within the EISA community (such as Global Health and Critical Military Studies), and PECs function as a regular meeting space for scholars who are active in those networks. From time to time, sections are designed with a focus on creating a specific output (e.g. a special issue, edited collection, etc.) and they function as a workshop. 

Read also the testimonials from some of our past/current section chairs to see how they have benefitted from acting as a section chair. 

• • Name, institutional affiliation, EISA membership number and email address of the proposed section chair(s) — maximum two chairs per section;
  • Proposed section title and summary of its theme(s) and rationale(s) (no more than 250 words). Please state here if your proposed section is to contain 5 or 10 panels;
  • Tentative list of possible panels. A full list of panels is not required but section chair(s) should demonstrate the range of topics they hope will be covered by the section at the conference. A 5-panel proposal should include at least 3 suggested themes; and a 10-panel proposal should outline a minimum of 6 suggested themes. If they wish, section chairs may also complement these themes with a list of possible papers or roundtable participants.

If you wish your proposal to be considered as a new Standing Section (3-year term), please read and follow the specific guidelines, and tick the box ‘Standing Section’ in the submission form.