20th TASA Symposium in Dallas 2026
Call for Papers / Presenters
Abstract Submission Deadline: April 24, 2026
Notification of Acceptance: April 27, 2026
Full Paper/Presentation Submission Deadline: May 31, 2026
Conference Date: June 13, 2026
We invite submissions of original research papers, case studies, and presentations that contribute to understanding and addressing the issues that are the most pressing for Turkmen society and humanity at large in the present day. Topics of interest include, but are NOT limited to:
Social Sciences: Investigating the drivers and consequences of rising societal polarization, democratic backsliding, and the erosion of multilateral institutions, with particular attention to war and peace in the contemporary world — including the human costs of ongoing armed conflicts, post-conflict reconstruction, peacebuilding and reconciliation processes, the fragmentation of the rules-based international order, proxy wars and great power rivalry, misinformation and disinformation ecosystems, social inequality, the criminalization of migration and its social consequences, the cultural and identity politics surrounding immigration in the United States and Europe, intrastate conflict, and governance under populist pressures.
Artificial Intelligence and Its Applications: Addressing the rapid and uneven global expansion of AI, including AI's growing role in modern warfare and defense systems, autonomous weapons and the ethics of lethal decision-making, the use of AI and surveillance technologies in border control and immigration enforcement, the geopolitics of AI competition between major powers, generative AI in education and governance, algorithmic bias and ethical accountability — particularly in immigration adjudication systems — AI's environmental footprint, and regulatory frameworks in an increasingly fragmented digital landscape.
Science: Pursuing scientific research at the intersection of urgent global crises, including the public health consequences of restrictive immigration policies and the healthcare access challenges faced by migrant and undocumented populations, the environmental and health consequences of armed conflict, climate and biodiversity tipping points, pandemic preparedness and biosecurity in the context of cross-border mobility, the science-policy interface in an era of distrust, AI-assisted scientific discovery, and interdisciplinary research addressing food, water, and energy security in fragile and conflict-affected states.
Economics: Analyzing the global economy in an age of geoeconomic confrontation, including the economic consequences of war and sanctions, the impacts of rising tariffs and trade protectionism, the macroeconomic effects of restrictive U.S. immigration policies on labor supply, agriculture, construction, and the technology sector, sovereign debt crises in developing nations, the slowdown in global growth, economic fragmentation and supply chain restructuring, the cost-of-living crisis, workforce disengagement, and the distributional effects of technological disruption.
Engineering: Advancing engineering solutions to 2026's defining challenges, including resilient infrastructure in conflict-affected and climate-vulnerable regions, post-war reconstruction engineering, the engineering of clean-energy systems and electric mobility, semiconductor supply chain security, smart city design under fiscal constraints, the infrastructure implications of mass migration and displacement, dual-use technologies, and the engineering dimensions of critical mineral extraction and processing.
Demography: Exploring demographic shifts in an era of geopolitical tension and economic anxiety, including forced displacement and migration due to conflict and climate pressures, the politics of immigration policy and its demographic consequences — with particular attention to the sweeping immigration enforcement measures in the United States, mass deportations, asylum restrictions, and their effects on population composition, labor markets, and community cohesion — housing affordability crises, aging populations in slowing economies, youth unemployment, and the social consequences of rapid urbanization in the Global South.
Climate Change: Examining the escalating impacts of climate change amid growing policy rollbacks and geopolitical fragmentation, including extreme weather responses, loss and damage frameworks, the energy transition in a multipolar world, critical mineral supply chains for clean energy, carbon pricing mechanisms, food security under climate stress, climate-induced displacement and its implications for immigration policy, and the role of international cooperation in sustaining climate commitments.
Submission Guidelines:
Abstracts should be submitted via email by April 24, 2026, to submitproposaltasa@gmail.com.
Abstracts should be between 250 and 300 words. The abstract should summarize the study's (presentation’s) objectives, methods, results, and conclusions. It should briefly introduce the topic, outline the research methods employed, if any, summarize key findings, and highlight the significance or implications of the results. The abstract should be clear, informative, and self-contained, allowing readers to understand the essence of the study without needing to read the full paper. Please include the following information with the abstract: the title of the paper/presentation, author(s) name(s), affiliation(s), bio, and contact information.
Important Dates:
Abstract Submission Deadline: April 24, 2026
Notification of Acceptance: April 27, 2026
Full Paper/Presentation Submission Deadline: May 31, 2026
Conference Date: June 13, 2026
* Accepted papers will be contacted as soon as possible to give time to make arrangements to attend.
For inquiries and further information, please contact us.
Sincerely,
Vepa Rejepov, Ph.D.
Board President
Turkmen American Scholars Association (TASA)