CASCAIUAES2017 panel: Cuban movements: new frontiers of research in anthropology?

(WIM-AIM04)
Cuban movements: new frontiers of research in anthropology?

Convenors

* Alexandrine Boudreault-Fournier (University of Victoria)
* Sabrina Doyon (Université Laval)



Short Abstract

This panel explores the recent Cuban movements that take place since
the recent diplomatic openings between Cuba and the United States, in
addition to question their impact on the research conducted by
anthropologists.

Long Abstract

Since the 1970s, Cuban scholars argue that Cuba is in a state of
transition. But Cuba has always been in movement. Yet, indicators
suggest that this socialist island of the Caribbean is recently moving
faster. On December 17, 2014 -Day of San Lazaro -Raúl Castro and
Barack Obama announced that diplomatic relations between Cuba and the
United Stated would be progressively 'normalized'. Since then, many
things happened: the exponential increase of tourism, and the
installation of wi-fi antennas in public spaces like parks are two
striking examples. This panel digs into those Cuban movements, the
cultural, political, environmental, economic and social undercurrents
that are affecting Cubans' lives today. Questions of access, gender,
race, and locality, among others, are explored and connected to other
concerns, such as infrastructural, political, and technological.

In such a changing climate, we would like to gather a group of
scholars who have been / are conducting research in Cuba to engage
with the movements, dynamics and changes that are observed. We want to
question how those movements do impact our works as anthropologists
today. In reflecting on our experiences and thoughts, this panel aims
at provoking a conversation about how those Cuban movements are being
entangled within our research projects and questionings. Furthermore,
we wish to explore how an expected increase of exchanges between
foreign and Cuban scholars can potentially create new frontiers of
research in anthropology.


Dr Alexandrine Boudreault-Fournier
Assistant Professor
Anthropology, University of Victoria
Box 1700 Victoria, BC Canada
V8W 2Y2
Office: 250.721.7052

More information:

http://www.nomadit.co.uk/cascaiuaes2017/suite/panels.php5?PanelID=5430