Border Studies Conference
7th Annual International Conference on Border Studies
Border Complexities
The University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley and Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas
February 19th, 2025: H. Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico
Link to virtual attendance pre-registration form UAMM - Day 1
February 20th - 21st, 2025 : Edinburg, Texas, United States
- MAIN BALLROOM: https://utrgv.zoom.us/j/89316955220
- CENIZO ROOM: https://utrgv.zoom.us/j/85378897394
- BRONC ROOM: https://utrgv.zoom.us/j/81892807999
Download a full program here:
Official Program for the 7th Annual International Conference on Border Studies
Attendance is FREE for audience members, online or in person at the Ballrooms.
7th Annual International Conference on Border Studies: Border Complexities
For our 7th Annual International Conference on Border Studies, we seek presentations that consider a rethinking of borders and border studies methodology in light of this new and emerging complexity shift in border studies. We welcome submissions on a range of topics and global regions related to this theme, yet we especially solicit proposals this year with a focus on Latin America and/or migrant health.
For questions, please contact caroline.miles@utrgv.edu.
Thank you to our UTRGV Sponsors:
- The College of Liberal Arts
- The College of Engineering and Computer Science
- The Robert C. Vackar College of Business & Entrepreneurship
- The College of Education and P-16 Integration
- The College of Health Professions
- The School of Podiatric Medicine
- The School of Social Work
- The Department of Literatures and Cultural Studies
- The Center for Collaboration and Ethics
- The School of Interdisciplinary Programs and Community Engagement
- Office for Bilingual Integration
- Keynote Speaker
- Submission Information
- Conference Schedule
- RGV Border Walls Tour
- Information for Attendees
Soledad Álvarez Velasco, PhD
Departments of Anthropology and Latin American and Latino Studies University of Illinois Chicago
Dr. Velasco's is a distinguished social anthropologist and human geographer renowned for her insightful research on the complex dynamics of migration in the Americas. With a Ph.D. in Human Geography from King's College London, Dr. Álvarez Velasco's academic career has been marked by significant contributions to the understanding of mobility, control, and spatial transformations in the context of migration.
Her research efforts include a meticulous analysis of undocumented global south-north and global south-south transit migration, border regimes, and the formation of migratory corridors. Using a multi-scale and historical approach, she employs multi-sited ethnography and digital ethnography from a migrant-centered perspective to reconstruct the spatial and temporal trajectories of migrants.
She is the author of Frontera sur chiapaneca: El muro humano de la volencia: Análisis de la normalización de la violencia hacia los migrantes indocumentados en tránsito [Chiapa's Southern Border: The Human Wall of Violence] (CIESAS-UIA, México, 2016), and co-author of Entre la violencia y la invisibilidad: Un análisis de la situación de los niños, niñas y adolescentes ecuatorianos no acompañados en el proceso de migración hacia Estados Unidos [Between Violence and Invisibility. An Analysis of Ecuadorian Unaccompanied Children and Adolescents in the Migration Process to the United States]. (Quito: SENAMI, 2012).
Click here for a Zoom link to join virtually for the keynote speaker on Thursday, February 20, 2025 at 3:30 PM Central.
Extended Deadline: September 30th, 2024.
We welcome panels, round table, paper, and poster proposals. Academics, researchers, students, NGOs, activists, and others are invited to submit proposals.
Panels and Round Tables
- Proposal Length: Maximum of 1,500 words.
- Presenters: Limited to 5 presenters per panel.
- Submission Link: Panel/Round Table Submission
Papers
- Proposal Length: Maximum of 300 words.
- Submission Link: Paper Submission
Posters
- Open to undergraduate and graduate students.
- Undergraduate students must submit a letter of support from a faculty member.
- Poster Dimensions: 4 feet wide (48 inches) x 3 feet high (36 inches).
- Submissions can include completed posters or a 300-word description.
- Submission Link: Poster Submission
General Guidelines
- Submission Deadline: September 30th, 2024 (extended).
- Proposals should be submitted as PDF files and must include a two-page CV.
- Proposals can be submitted in either English or Spanish.
- Simultaneous translation (English/Spanish) will be provided at the conference.
- Presenters may submit a maximum of two proposals. Second submissions will only be accepted if space permits.
- All submissions will undergo a peer review by a committee of experts, and notifications of acceptance will be sent via email by October 2024.
Panel Topics
- Economics, Politics, and Global Context: Economics, Politics, Global Borders, Context and Environment, Technology & Energy.
- Health and Migration: Health, Migration, Refugees, Communities and Hospitality, Borders beyond Walls.
- Sociocultural and Legal Processes: Sociocultural Processes, Citizenship and Legality, Gender/Race/Class.
- Other: Additional relevant topics.
Additional Information
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and a free reception will be provided in Edinburg on February 20th.
- Travel & Accommodation: Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation expenses.
- Border Tour: A special tour will be organized by Stefanie Herweck and Scott Nicol.
Click on the dates below for a schedule of events.
For a full program, download here: Official Program for the 7th Annual International Conference on Border Studies
Ubicación: Auditorio de la Unidad Académica Multidisciplinaria Matamoros
Pre-registration for virtual attendance: Link to Pre-registration Form UAMM - Day 1
Location: EDBCX Ballrooms - The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Edinburg Campus
Pre-registration for virtual attendance: Link to Pre-registration Form UTRGV Days 2 & 3
Location: EDBCX Ballrooms - The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Edinburg Campus
Pre-registration for virtual attendance: Link to Pre-registration Form UTRGV Days 2 & 3
Rio Grande Valley Border Walls
Friday, February 21, 2025 from 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Special Tour with Stefanie Herweck and Scott Nicol
Registration for tour will be updated soon.
Join Stefanie Herweck and Scott Nicol, co-authors of two ACLU reports on the impacts of the U.S. - Mexico border wall, for a tour of the border and border walls in the Rio Grande Valley. The tour will include a discussion of the impacts of the walls on migrants, communities, businesses, famrs and natural areas, as well as an update o nthe ongoing construction of walls under the Biden Administration.
Hotel Information:
- Conference Hotel: Best Western Plus Edinburg Inn & Suites
- Address: 2708 S US Highway 281, Edinburg, TX 78539
Transportation:
- The closest airport is McAllen International Airport (MFE). Taxis and Ubers are available for transportation from the airport to the hotel.
- A shuttle service will be provided between the conference hotel and the UTRGV campus.
Parking at UTRGV:
- Temporary parking permit for 02/20/2025 and 02/21/2025 for non-UTRGV affiliated visitors:
Registration for presenters may be purchased by credit card online:
*Please note that attendance as an audience member is free*
| Advanced purchase price* | Regular price | |
| Graduate Student | $60 | $80 |
| Standard | $115 | $130 |
*Advance purchase price valid until February 10, 2025 at 23:59 Central