Following the success of the previous Biennial International Conferences of Alevism Studies, we are excited to announce the Third Biennial International Conference of Alevism Studies.
Within the current neoliberal global academic context, amid a crisis of legitimacy, Alevism Studies gained significant momentum and established itself as an interdisciplinary academic field. As a global hub for advancing Alevism Studies, the conference provides an invaluable opportunity to connect early-career and established scholars from diverse disciplines and perspectives, encouraging constructive discussions on current developments regarding transnational Alevi communities. The conference serves as an open and safe platform for examining issues pertinent to Alevism and Alevis from decolonial and multidisciplinary academic perspectives. The conference also facilitates networking opportunities for scholars of Alevism Studies and the wider global academic community, contributing to the further recognition of Alevism Studies as an academic discipline. It also provides researchers with an invaluable opportunity to receive constructive, informed, and meaningful feedback to enhance their research, prepare for publication in globally renowned academic journals, and submit to special issues on Alevism.
The history of Alevis is marked by systematic exclusion, oppression and persecution. These atrocities continue within the current geopolitical context of the Middle East. While the region is undergoing radical transformation, the livelihood of the Alevi communities is becoming increasingly vulnerable. The regime change in Syria, with the support of the regional and global imperial powers, made Alevis an easy target for the regime-supported forces, leading to massacres, kidnappings, disappearances and displacement. The recent socio-political developments in Turkey also created a hostile environment with the rise of Aleviphobic discourses spreading in the mainstream media, calling for Alevi massacres. The new peace process between the Turkish government and the Kurdish movement, called "terror-free Türkiye", revived the hopes for a democratic and inclusive political culture. However, hate speech against Alevis circulating in the media within this context and the emphasis upon Sunni Islam as a historical and future base of unity between Turks and Kurds received remarkable criticism from the Alevis. While Alevis in diaspora have gained significant achievements in terms of recognition in the last two decades, those in Turkey are still denied their rights of equal citizenship, feeling the threat of persecution.
The conference provides an institutional scholarly platform for academics studying Alevism to engage in meaningful discussions at this crucial moment of socio-political transformation in the Middle East, which has a significant impact on transnational Alevi communities. The conference invites scholarship that is theoretically and conceptually informed and empirically grounded on the following themes:
- Alevi history and theology
- Alevi diaspora and youth engagement
- Sexuality and gender in Alevism and Alevi organisations
- Remembering, collective memory and activism
- Time, space and ritual in Alevism
- Pedagogy and education on Alevism
- Ethnic and linguistic diversity among Alevis
- Digitisation of Alevi historical materials and oral stories
- Alevi music, literature and arts
- Alevi politics of representation and recognition
Papers on different topics and panel suggestions are also welcome. We also strongly encourage early-career researchers to participate in the conference.
The conference will be hosted by the Centre for Social Justice Research at the University of Westminster, London, during 23–25 June 2027 from 9am–5pm. It is organised by Dr Umit Cetin, Dr Celia Jenkins and Tufan Bozkurt from the School of Social Sciences, University of Westminster and Dr Berfin Emre from the University of the Arts London.
The Conference Venue is The Pavilion, 115 New Cavendish St, London, W1W 6UW.
There is no conference fee, and refreshments will be provided for all sessions. There might be limited accommodation support available, subject to funding approval.
Call for papers
The deadline for abstract submissions is 15 December 2026. Accepted papers will be notified by 30 January 2027.
Please send your 750-1000-word abstract, including three key words, the research question, methodology and key findings and a 100-word biography, including your institutional or organisational affiliation, to Berfin via [email protected].
