The ETHNICGOODS (EG) project co-organized a panel at the 10th Annual Sociology of Development Conference, titled “Solving Global Problems,” held from October 18-20, 2024, at Johns Hopkins University in Washington, D.C.
The panel, “Recent Trends in the Study of Ethnicity, Nationhood, and Development,” moved beyond the notion that diversity is an inherent obstacle to growth and social provision. Instead, it focused on variations in the governance of ethnic diversity and their developmental impacts. The session featured research by emerging scholars Jacob Caponi, a PhD student at the University of Michigan, and Sheetal Shalini Pebam, a PhD student at the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, India. Their presentations offered thought-provoking perspectives on how national identity and ethnic diversity intersect with development. Caponi’s paper examined how nation-building ideologies shape social service delivery by street-level bureaucrats in Rwanda. Pebam discussed the role of education in strengthening minority identities and empowering communities in Manipur, India. EG Principal Investigator (PI) Matthias vom Hau served as a discussant.
Additionally, Matthias presented EG’s work on “The Information Capacity of States, Ethnic Diversity, and Social Development“. EG PI provided a deeper look at how specific aspects of states, particularly their ability to collect and process information, shape long-run patterns of ethnic diversity and development. This session was well-attended and underscored EG’s commitment to advancing scholarship on these complex issues.
Both Jacob and Sheetal shared positive reflections on their experience:
Jacob Caponi: “The panel was informative in thinking about how different cases of nation-building rely on national ideas of inclusion and exclusion, felt by everyday people. Each presentation encouraged me to reconsider how national scripts are woven into cultural practices and policy implications”.
Sheetal Shalini Pebam: “The conference provided a valuable opportunity to connect with both distinguished and emerging scholars from diverse backgrounds, enriching my research approach. The discussions introduced us to new ideas that we can apply in our own work”.
This panel aligns with EG’s mission to support emerging scholars and foster dialogue that crosses traditional academic and geographic boundaries. For more updates on our initiatives and future events, visit our website and follow us on X.
