Call for papers

Theme: Technology, Transformations and New World Orders

Concept Note

Thorstein Veblen, in positing an integral relation between technology and society, paved the way forward for the theory of technological determinism which holds the view that technological transformations determine the course of human society. While opinions may vary on the extent and magnitude of the actual impact that technological transformations have on social transformations, it cannot be denied that technological changes do force the human society to rethink pragmatically in sync with the exigent and binding practicalities that accompany any technological transformation, and accordingly strategizing afresh and subsequently implementing the same as far as practicable. Consequently, human beings are caught in the conundrum of either evolving or perishing every time a technological transformation is witnessed. Today, the world is passing through yet another phase of technological transformation thanks to the advent of the new media. This particular technological also known as digital transformation, referring to the global phenomenon of shifting from traditional—personal and professional—practices to digital practices by both individuals and institutions alike in the new millennium, is driven by the twin indispensable elements of new media, i.e., digital infrastructure and network capability. The impact of digital transformation is palpable enough to be felt across every sphere of human life, viz., personal communications, social relationships, academic and business practices, and so on, and digital transformation seems well and truly on course for the building of a new world order whose survival and sustenance shall depend entirely on the social competence of the digital adaptability. The vision of such a new world order through digital transformation, as with earlier technological transformations, is fraught with challenges and the inevitable risk of over-dependence on the digital medium. The discourse on technological transformation (not limited to the ongoing digital transformation only) also raises another pertinent question—whether technology decides and pushes the agenda of new world orders or whether people embrace technological innovations, either willingly or necessarily, in the quest for better living conditions and the fulfillment of existing inadequacies? With a view to explore and bring to light the myriad shades of technological transformations—perspectives, opportunities, and challenges—posed by such transformations with regards to the human society, the upcoming issue of the Colloquium [Volume VIII (2021)] invites original, scholarly contributions on the following sub-themes (though not strictly limited to them only):

• History of technological transformations in human society
• Impact of technological transformations on personal communications and behavioral patterns
• Impact of technological transformations on social relationships and consumer behavior
• Impact of technological transformations on traditional pedagogical business practices
• Impact of technological transformations on community practices
• Impact of technological transformations on international relations
• Impact of technological transformations on nature and environment

Interested authors are requested to go through the detailed Submission Guidelines before proceeding. Authors should also preferably go through the Review and Anti-Plagiarism Policy of the Journal before submitting their manuscript.

The last date for submission of contributions for the Volume VIII (2021) is January 31, 2022. Authors are also requested kindly to mention “Submission for Volume VIII—2021” in the mail Subject Line while submitting the manuscript to colloquium.besc@thebges.edu.in.

*** Please note that Volume VIII (2021) of the Colloquium may be published as a Joint Volume with Volume VII (2020) of the Colloquium as Volume VII (2020) could not be published earlier due to the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Theme: Pandemics, Human Evolution and Civilizational Metamorphosis

Concept Note

The history of human civilization bears memories and scars of pandemics since ancient times. Prof. Frank M. Snowden, in his book Epidemics and Society: From the Black Death to the Present, extensively dwells on the far-reaching consequences of deadly disease outbreaks and observes how the course of human society has been reshaped at various points in time in various capacities—socially, politically, economically and even intellectually. A critical introspection on the nature and impact of pandemics since ancient times serves as a poignant but necessary reminder that the process of evolution of human society is yet far from being complete. While it is true that each pandemic takes along with it, not just millions of lives, but also a slice of the existing human community practices, it also opens the door to newer possibilities of building a better future with critical insights from past experiences. Adaptability and resilience have been the key survival strategies for the human race for ages and each subsequent pandemic is yet another test of human adaptability and resilience. Thus, pandemics, for all their brutalities, do also play an important role in the reshaping, transformation, and evolution of human societies and civilizations through, both immediate chaos and long-term social reconciliation, which is reflected in ensuing human community practices. Accordingly, the upcoming issue of the Colloquium [(Volume VII (2020)] invites original, scholarly contributions on the following sub-themes (though not strictly limited to them only) in sync with the core theme for the issue being “Pandemic, Human Evolution and Civilizational Metamorphosis”, keeping in mind both the current and the earlier pandemic experiences, towards a better understanding of the extent and nature of the impact of any pandemic on the human society:

• Influence of pandemics on literature and other creative works
• Influence of pandemics on human lifestyle
• Influence of pandemics on traditional pedagogical practices
• Influence of pandemics on human communication and behavior patterns
• Influence of pandemics on community, society and international relations
• Influence of pandemics on media and technological innovations
• Influence of pandemics on nature and environment

Interested authors are requested to go through the detailed Submission Guidelines before proceeding. Authors should also preferably go through the Review and Anti-Plagiarism Policy of the Journal before submitting their manuscript.

The last date for submission of contributions for the Volume VII (2020) is January 15, 2022. Authors are also requested kindly to mention “Submission for Volume VII—2020” in the mail Subject Line while submitting the manuscript to colloquium.besc@thebges.edu.in.

*** Please note that Volume VII (2020) of the Colloquium may be published as a Joint Volume with Volume VIII (2021) of the Colloquium as Volume VII (2020) could not be published earlier due to the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.