Call for papers: BRICS+ and the developing world

The Centre for Africa-China Studies (CACS) and the Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation (IPATC) at the University of Johannesburg invite you to contribute to an edited book titled BRICS+ and the Developing World: A Multifaceted Study.

The book will discuss what the expansion of BRICS (with invitations sent to Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates) entails for the wellbeing of the developing world and for global economics and diplomacy. Authors will be urged to submit abstracts based on the following broad themes:

1. BRICS + and economic recovery after COVID-19
2. Expansion of the BRICS and implications for diplomacy between the historical Global South and the Global North
3. BRICS + and the Russia-Ukraine Conflict
4. BRICS + and the notion of dedollarisation
5. The New Development Bank and infrastructure funding in emerging economies

BACKGROUND

At the historic 15th BRICS Summit held in Johannesburg from 22 to 24 August 2023, it was announced that the initial five members of BRICS had decided to more than double the size of the group with the inclusion of Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. What are the authors’ thoughts about the decision regarding the profile of the countries invited to join, and the attention that this has elicited in international affairs?

There have been arguments that an enlarged BRICS enhances prospects for fairer international trade and the posture of the developing world in international forums such as the United Nations and the World Trade Organization. In addition, the new configuration could be crucial in dealing with intersecting challenges and capitalizing on opportunities for infrastructure development, intra-regional trade, capacity-building in acquisition of soft skills, improvements in ICT infrastructure, knowledge and competency on the use of online pedagogies, and equipped and responsive learning management systems.

POSSIBLE THEMES

1. BRICS+ and recovery from COVID-19: Leading the charge?
2. BRICS+ and the Russia-Ukraine conflict: case study
3. The expansion of BRICS: A profile and implication of new members
4. The BRICS+ and the debate on localizing trading currencies: Farewell to dollar dominance?
5. The New Development Bank and Infrastructure funding in emerging economies
6. The BRICS+ and Western nationalism
7. The BRICS+ and the return of coups in West and Central Africa
8. Solutions to weak digital teaching and learning in the BRICS+ and Africa.
9. Connecting students and academics across the BRICS+ and Africa: impediments and possibilities
10. The co-production of knowledge among students and academics.
11. The empowerment of academics to integrate blended learning in their curriculum and pedagogies in the BRICS + and African countries.
12. Building sustained co-teaching/co-researching relationships through networked technologies.
13. Facilitating inter-institutional collaboration through networked technologies.

Date of abstract submission: Monday, 16 November 2023
Review and notification: Friday, 15 December 2023
Length of abstract: Maximum of 300 words excluding titles (background, methods, findings and conclusion)
Date of chapter submission:  Duesday, 30 April 2024
Length of chapter: 5000-7000 words

EDITORS

Dr Emmanuel Matambo, University of Johannesburg
Prof Siphamandla Zondi, University of Johannesburg
Dr Phindile Shangase, University of the Free State

SUBMISSIONS

Submissions to be made using the following link:

https://forms.gle/ruddyDc5qD53Qg9N8

DOWNLOAD

To download a printable version of this invitation, click here.