CFP: CASCA2014 - Uncertain Energy Futures: Anthropological Engagements with Labour, Locality and Financial Speculation - deadline February 12th

Uncertain Energy Futures: Anthropological Engagements with Labour,
Locality and Financial Speculation

Organizers: Rylan Higgins - Saint Mary's University (Rylan.Higgins@smu.ca)
Dan Houser - Carleton University (dan_houser@carleton.ca)


Since at least WWII, humans have been progressively incorporated into
economic systems wherein petroleum is increasingly determinative. As
the necessary, limited, and strategic resource of our time, arguably
this energy form rivals even food and shelter as a basic need, given
that much of what we eat and use for shelter ultimately depends on
petroleum. While our appetite for petroleum is astonishing, the vigor
and doggedness that mark our quest for both hydrocarbons and/or
sustainable alternatives to it are equally noteworthy. Though Canada
is a prominent player in these processes, as a society, we know
relatively little about the impacts and implications of them. This
panel is comprised of reports on anthropological work attempting to
fill this knowledge gap, by providing critical and in-depth insights
on a range of socio-cultural and economic aspects of hydrocarbons and
alternative energy forms.

If interested, please send abstracts of 150 words or less to Dan
Houser or to Rylan Higgins by February 12, 2014.