This 2024 EASP meeting aims to bring together research regarding the psychological antecedents and consequences of fragile identities. By fragile identities we mean collective group memberships that are likely to emerge as a response to experiencing adverse events including forced displacement, wars (e.g., in Syria and Ukraine), atrocities and hate crimes against minorities on the one hand, and a response to a threat of change in the lifestyle and values of majority populations (i.e., White fragility) on the other. Specifically, we are interested in inviting researchers who examine how fragile identities come about as a result of collective experiences, collective memory and current political processes, as well as researchers who work on its influence on intergroup relations, both in the area of intergroup conflict and hostility, and in the area of solidarity, moral identity, reconciliation and collective action participation. The meeting will focus on the conditions of identity fragility among advantaged and disadvantaged groups, the topics of social inclusion and exclusion, allyship, solidarity, protection of human rights, support, and opposition to multiculturalism as they are triggered by historical experiences and contemporary atrocities in different geopolitical contexts within and beyond the European continent.

The meeting will take place in Milazzo, Sicily. Sicily is a region of Europe that is attractive to international tourism, known for its hospitality and generally affordable costs of travelling. In addition to its attractiveness for tourists, the island is centrally affected by the refugee crisis as it is one of the main landing points and a transit zone for forced migrants and refugees.

The meeting will include about 25 Junior and Senior researchers. They will present their original research in a single small session format.

Researchers from all parts of the world who are interested in participating are asked to complete this application form: https://forms.gle/2xum8hsr85rTbz1c9. Notification of acceptance or rejection will be sent via email in late November 2023.

EASP members in good standing who are under economic hardship and do not have alternative funds for the attendance of the meeting can apply for a fee waiver by providing a 100-word motivation statement. In addition, the organizing committee will offer support to a limited number of applicants, who have difficulty in covering travel and registration fees and do not have any additional sources of support. Those interested should provide a detailed budget plan of their trip and a 100-word justification for their request.

Participant fees: Full members: € 200, Postgraduate members: € 100, non-members: € 220, postgraduate non-members: € 120.

Please find more information here: https://uvsk.sav.sk/wp-content/uploads/uploaded/documents/news/EASP-meeting-Milazzo.pdf

Organizing Committee:
Maria Chayinska, University of Messina
Anna Kende, Eötvös Loránd University
Barbara Lášticová, Institute for Research in Social Communication, Slovak Academy of Sciences
Xenia Daniela Poslon, Institute for Research in Social Communication, Slovak Academy of Sciences
Patrice Rusconi, University of Messina