CfP: URDU STUDIES (Special issue on Contribution of Western Women Scholars of Urdu / South Asian Islam)
Urdu Studies, Vol. 5, Issue 1, Year 2025
Special Issue: Contribution of Western Women Scholars of Urdu / South Asian Islam
Since the 20th century, Western women scholars have made substantial contributions to the field of Urdu studies, spanning disciplines such as Urdu literature, history, culture, and Islamic studies, including Sufism. Their scholarship has opened new avenues of research, brought critical insights, and introduced Urdu studies to a broader global audience. This special issue seeks to explore and celebrate the diverse and impactful contributions of these scholars, highlighting their influence across various academic disciplines within Urdu studies.
We invite submissions that examine the work and legacy of the following (but not limited to) Western women scholars, their intellectual contributions, and the broader impact of Western and European academic interest in Urdu studies from the 20th century onwards:
- Agnieszka Kuczkiewicz-Fraś
- Anna Suvorova
- Annemarie Schimmel
- Barbara Metcalf
- Carla Petievich
- Christina Oesterheld
- Eve Tignol
- Frances Pritchett
- Gail Minault
- Jennifer Dubrow
- Kathryn Hansen
- Lawrence Gautier
- Ludmila Vasilyeva
- Marcia Hermansen
- Margrit Pernau
Topics of Interest:
We welcome original research articles, review essays, biographical studies, and critical analyses on topics including, but not limited to:
• Urdu Literature:
o Examination of key literary contributions by Western women scholars.
o Analysis of translations of Urdu literary works by Western women scholars and their impact on global readership.
o Comparative studies between Western and South Asian interpretations of Urdu literature.
• Urdu History and Culture:
o Contributions of Western women scholars to the study of Urdu history and cultural practices.
o Exploration of Western women scholars’ roles in documenting and preserving Urdu cultural heritage.
o The influence of Western perspectives on the understanding of Urdu history and cultural identity.
• Islamic Studies and Sufism:
o Contributions of Western women scholars to the study of Islamic thought, particularly in relation to Urdu-speaking regions.
o Exploration of Sufi traditions in Urdu literature and their interpretation by Western women scholars.
o Comparative studies on Western and Eastern scholarly approaches to Sufism in the Urdu context.
• Interdisciplinary Studies:
o Intersections of literature, culture, and religion in the work of Western women scholars in Urdu studies.
o The role of gender and feminist perspectives in shaping Western women scholarship in Urdu studies.
o The evolution of Western/European academic interest in Urdu studies since the 20th century and its impact on the field.
Submission Guidelines:
- Manuscript Length: Submissions should not exceed 8000 words, including references, notes, and appendices (MLA 9th Edition).
- Formatting: Manuscripts should be prepared according to the guidelines mentioned on the website of Urdu Studies.
- Language: Submissions should be in English or Urdu. Urdu texts and translations may be included where relevant. Transliteration rules of Urdu Studies should be followed strictly.
- Abstract: Please include an abstract of no more than 200 words with your submission.
- Review Process: All submissions will undergo an open peer-review process (OPR).
Important Dates:
- Submission Deadline: 1st of May, 2025
- Notification of Acceptance: 31st of May, 2025
- Final Manuscript Submission: 15th of July, 2025
- Publication Date: 1st week of August, 2025
Submission Procedure:
Please submit your manuscripts through email to the Editor at fatimarizvi67[at]gmail.com with cc to the Chief Editor at hashmiam68[at]gmail.com. For any inquiries regarding the special issue, please contact the Chief Editor (at hashmiam68[at]gmail.com) or the Editor (at fatimarizvi67[at]gmail.com).