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\nThis is shaping up very nicely\, with proposals for panels and individual papers across a wide range of areas of theory and practice -- from whether there's any such thing as a 'public sector ethos' to theethics \;of sustainability\, from parenting to the usefulness (or otherwise) of institutional codes of \;ethics\, from universal basic income to the relationship between access to transport and \;social \;justice\, and from contrasting forms of realism in political theory to the very possibility of linking theoretical critique with \;social \;activism.
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\nThose who theorise about \;social \;values (freedom\, equality\, justice) like to think their insights have public application and resonance. \; Meanwhile policymakers and practitioners spend little time reading \;ethical \;theory. \; Are these bad habits? \; Is either side at fault? \;Should we prioritiseideal \;values\, or theoretical models\, over the messy\, impure \;reality \;of the \;social\, political\, economic and professional contexts in which decisions are put into practice? \; Is it possible to combine due attention to both? \; If so\, how should this be done? \; Is it possible\, or desirable\, to combine the nuanced language of theory with the differently complex imperatives of practice?
This conference aims to attract academics\, activists\, practitioners and others with an interest in the relationship between \;ethical \;ideals \;and the concrete demands and possibilities of \;social \;life. \; Key themes and questions will include:
- (how) do theoretical insights actually enhance practice?
- \;ideal \;vs. non-ideal \;modes of theory
- the relationship between political \;ideas \;and the \;reality \;of political practice
- the relationship between \;ethical \;codes and actual practice\, e.g. in professional contexts
- are notions of 'reality' and 'practice' always inherently contested?
- the relationship between descriptive and normative approaches to the study of politics and society
- the relationship between theory and activism
The research interests of the Newport \;Social \;Ethics \;research group include equality\, citizenship\, disability\, migration\, well-being\, professional \;ethics\, democracy\, multiculturalism\, environmental and animal \;ethics\, \;social \;inclusion and exclusion\, the \;ethics \;of dialogue and communication\, and theories of \;social \;justice. \; We would especially welcome submissions addressing any of these areas\, from those working across relevant areas both within and outside universities.
We particularly welcome proposals of themed panels of 3 papers\, and will be happy to consult on the development of \;ideas \;in this regard.
Deadline for proposals of papers (300 words) and panels (including a brief description and any paper proposals already solicited): 30 November 2011.
Registration will open in December 2011\, with a non-residential fee expected to be £\;100\, plus optional conference dinner.
A number of subsidised places will be available for postgraduate students and those without institutional financial support.