Symposium on the Politics of Antarctica
International Symposium, attendees must register to attend this Symposium.
Antarctica is the world's fifth largest continent, with a wealth of valuable resources, governed by no one country, yet a place where politics is very much to the fore. For the last fifty years Antarctica has been managed under the Antarctic Treaty system, a body which, according to its critics, by the terms of its membership effectively excludes most of the nations of the world as they do not have the resources to engage in scientific research in Antarctica.
Will the Antarctic Treaty be able to last another 50 years? 
Will the emergence of new actors with interest in Antarctica upset the current system?
Does Antarctic governance need to democratise?
How might that be achieved?
These are some of the questions this Symposium will explore from the perspective of
1. relevant international relations theory and political theory;
2. case studies of individual countries or groups of countries working in Antarctica or critiquing the existing order;
3. analysis of the politics of various burning issues in Antarctica such as the expansion of tourism, bio-prospecting, and the role of the military in Antarctica.
Antarctic political science is virtually non-existent as an academic discipline, yet Antarctic affairs are highly politicised and frequently contentious. In the interest of developing Antarctic political science as a specialist sub-field, the Symposium welcomes papers and panel proposals written from within the framework of political science methodology. Graduate students are especially encouraged to participate. Non-political science specialists who are interested observers are warmly invited to attend and contribute to discussions.
Co-Sponsors:
School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Canterbury Gateway Antarctica, University of Canterbury Royal Society of New Zealand"
Date and Venue: Symposium on Antarctic Politics
To be held at: The University of Canterbury, Christchurch
8-9 July 2010
Registration from 8.30am on 8 July 2010
Offer of Papers
Paper proposals - Proposals for a symposium paper should be submitted to symposium organiser Associate-Professor Anne-Marie Brady, anne-marie.brady@canterbury.ac.nz by 1 December 2009.
Please include: a paper title and 250-word abstract, with 2 or 3 keywords, your institutional affiliation and contact address for author(s), and your audio visual requirements. Speakers will be given fifteen minutes to present their paper, plus time for questions.
Panel proposals - Proposals for a symposium paper should be submitted to symposium organiser Associate-Professor Anne-Marie Brady, anne-marie.brady@canterbury.ac.nz by 1 December 2009.
Please include: the title of the panel, and 2 or 3 keywords, title (and 250 word abstract) for each paper in the panel, full name and affiliation of each panellist, and your panel’s audio visual requirements.
Please clearly indicate the name and contact details of the proposed convenor for the panel or round table. It will be the responsibility of panel convenors to ensure each contributing panellist is registered for the symposium.
Planned edited book to come out of the Symposium:
Symposium participants who wish their paper to be considered as part of a proposed edited book on “The Politics of Antarctica” must submit their completed paper no later than 1 June 2010, and signal their interest in having their paper included in the edited book on their paper proposal to be submitted by 1 December 2009.
Symposium on Antarctic Politics Registration
Registration fees are: TBA
Early full registration before I June 2010: TBA
Student and non-waged full registration before 1 June 2010: $45
One day registration only (please indicate Thursday or Friday): TBA
Late Full registration after 1 June 2010: TBA
Late student and non-waged registration after 1 June 2010: TBA
Late one day registration (please indicate Thursday or Friday) after 1 June 2010: TBA
To register your attendance at the symposium please complete the symposium registration form (not yet available)
Symposium Programme
The symposium programme will be available closer to the symposium date.
- Emeritus-Professor Aant Elzinga, Gothenberg University, Sweden - Abstract
- Associate Professor Marcus Haward, University of Tasmania, Australia - Abstract
- Dr Jessica Shadian, Bodo Graduate School of Business, Norway - Abstract
- Professor ZOU Keyuan, University of Central Lancashire, UK - Abstract
Symposium on Antarctic Politics Dinner
A dinner for symposium participants will be held on the evening of 8 July 2010.
Cost: TBA
Venue: TBA
Please see the Symposium Programme for further details.
If you would like to attend the Symposium dinner, please indicate this on your registration form.
Note: This symposium is being held back to back with Antarctica New Zealand’s Annual Antarctic Conference which is being hosted by Gateway Antarctica at the University of Canterbury, 5-7 July 2010. Symposium attendees are welcome to attend this conference by registering through that conference’s registration process (links to both events’ registration pages will appear in due course). Information about past Annual Antarctic Conferences and current information about the 2010 conference, can be found at: http://www.antarcticanz.govt.nz/article/6973.html#10429
Accommodation
A range of accommodation is available, from budget to self-contained apartments, details TBA
Transport
Shuttle operators
Airport shuttle buses, include Super Shuttle: 0800 SHUTTLE (0800 748 885).
Taxi operators: Blue Star: 03 3799799 Corporate Cabs: 03 379 5888 First Direct: 03 377 5555
The University of Canterbury
The University of Canterbury is located in Christchurch, the largest city in New Zealand's South Island. The university is globally recognised as a centre for Antarctic-related research; Christchurch is also one of the gateways to Antarctica and has many Antarctic-related attractions.
Things to do in Christchurch and the South Island
Although Christchurch is known as an English city, with its cathedrals, gardens, punting on the Avon and tram, it has a lot more to offer. There is always something going on. The website http://www.christchurch.org.nz/ is packed with things to do in Christchurch, maps, and accommodation options. July in the South Island is the perfect time to go skiing, enjoy the beauty of the mountain landscapes, the fiords, the wineries, or the micro-climate of Golden Bay, or just sit in a hot pool surrounded by snow.