Dear Annual Conference on South Asia Community,
We express our heartfelt appreciation to those who have already registered and submitted proposals, and we look forward to being in touch soon regarding committee notifications.
After carefully monitoring updates from our campus leadership on the COVID-19 crisis, we have, in consultation with the International Division, decided to postpone the 49th Annual Conference on South Asia to October 2021. We take public health guidelines seriously, and the lives and safety of our national and international community are our most important priorities.
All committee notifications will be sent out soon, and please know that (1) accepted submissions for symposia, single papers, roundtables and panels will be honored for the 2021 ACSA in-person meeting, (2) the committee will review revisions to accepted proposals on a case-by-case basis, (3) your registration for the 2020 competition will be rolled over to the 2021 meeting, (4) we will be running a second, smaller competition for additional submissions in the spring, and (5) the Madison Concourse Hotel will be issuing refunds for all reservations made through the group code, though please do not hesitate to contact them at (608) 257-6000 if your refund is not processed automatically.
In light of the postponement, we are working on a plan to showcase panels on time-sensitive issues during the 2020-21 academic year. The Conference has been a vital gathering for scholars and students of South Asia, and we hope to continue to serve the community in innovative ways during this difficult time. Once again, we sincerely appreciate your enthusiasm for the Conference and support for the Center.
Please stay safe and healthy, and take good care of you and your loved ones.
Sincerely,
Sarah Beckham (Associate Director, UW-Madison Center for South Asia),
On behalf of Viren Murthy (Conference Chair), B.V. Mani (Center for South Asia Faculty Director), and Anthony Cerulli (Center for South Asia Incoming Director, 20-21).