Justice Studies Association - President's Welcome

ABOUT JSA/ PRESIDENT'S WELCOME

PRESIDENT'S WELCOME Print Version

JSA President: John F. Wozniak

As President of the Justice Studies Association I am very excited that our 2009 conference theme is "Immigration, Sanctuary, Worlds Without Borders." There has been a growing sentiment among JSA members and our recent conferees that we focus upon the theme of immigration during our 2009 conference to be held in Albany, New York. I want to take this opportunity to encourage the submission of presentations, papers, sessions, and workshops related to this theme.

It is a common practice at JSA conferences to "build a sense of community" among presenters and conference attendees by offering longer periods for discussion of topics than what is generally allotted at other conferences. A further advantage of our conferences is that we invite presenters and attendees alike to assemble at the end of each day to touch upon common threads running through the day’s presentations. These we call Shaker Breakout Sessions.

During our 2009 conference we expect to engage in stimulating discussions about the suffering and social misery many immigrants experience as displaced persons, as people excluded and alienated from mainstream resources and culture. Our 2009 conference is designed to address efforts of protection and hospitality described as “sanctuary” for people who find themselves stateless, unauthorized, undocumented, refugees. Presenters involved in all aspects of the lives of immigrants will highlight immigration issues through the lens of "worlds without borders," a lens that sees citizenship as worldwide, where the needs of all are ideally taken into account.

We invite presenters and attendees from all walks of life and all fields of study (e. g., the arts and sciences, business, education, law, and health care) and all forms of practice (e. g., social workers, counselors, community service staff, helping professionals, and social justice activists) to create new vistas for understanding all aspects of immigration and displacement, sanctuary, and a just world community.

We invite specifically criminology and criminal justice teachers, scholars, and researchers to look at immigration in relation to crime theories, unlawful behaviors, victimization, social harms, peacemaking, restorative justice, and other alternatives to mainstream criminal justice policies.

We invite, likewise, sociologists and other social scientists to look at immigration in the context of disabled and extended families, labeling of deviant behavior, discrimination and prejudice, secondary labor markets, social movements, and conflict theories. We particularly welcome overlapping or interdisciplinary approaches.

Along with my JSA colleagues, I invite you all to make plans now to take part in the 2009 conference. Application and registration materials are available on the JSA website. If you need further information or clarification, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you.

In peace,
John F. Wozniak