CFP: Boston University Graduate Student Philosophy Conference 2023: Bodies in Contexts: Epistemological Considerations for a Diverse Society

The philosophy graduate students at Boston University are soliciting papers and abstracts from graduate students in any area of philosophy for the Boston University Annual Graduate Student Conference on “Bodies in Contexts: Epistemological Considerations for a Diverse Society”. 

The recognition and appreciation of diversity lie at the intersection of the epistemological, the ethical, and the practical. Commitment to diversity calls for a change in our linguistic, epistemic, and ethical practices from everyday life to medical, legal, and academic contexts. 

However, one concern is that philosophy has not provided sufficient room for reflecting on bodies, identities, and their situatedness within social contexts. Such reflections are a necessary step for a meaningful philosophical contribution towards a diverse and more equitable society. 

Our keynote speaker this year will be Prof. Rima Basu (Claremont McKenna College).

We welcome contributing papers that address the following questions and topics:

• Standpoint epistemology

• Relationship between embodiment and identity

• The epistemic implications of bodily situatedness 

• The epistemology of diversity

• The possibility of bodily objectivity

• Bodily awareness and perception

• Bodily oppression

• Bodily autonomy (e.g. in sexual and/or medical contexts)

• Bodies and decolonization

• Underrepresented philosophical traditions’ approaches to bodies

• The study of disability

• Diversity as a value

• Language inclusivity

Information for Submission:

• Submissions should be in the form of a short abstract (200-250 words) and a full-length paper (4,000-5,000 words). Please include a word count at the top of your submission.

• Papers and abstracts should be prepared for anonymous review. Please omit any self-identifying marks within the body of the documents.

• Please submit your abstract and paper by January 31st using the following Google Form: https://forms.gle/svhmngvsNCsm3DmPA.

• Authors must be current graduate students in any related disciplines.

• Selected presenters will be given 30 minutes to present and will be assigned a commentator.

• Successful applicants will be contacted by February 20th.

• Members of all underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. 

• We are committed to disability justice and creating an access-centered conference. We encourage you to contact us if you have any access needs that require our awareness.

• We hope to provide partial funding for students whose institutions cannot reimburse the expenses and who would otherwise be unable to attend the conference in person. 

• Please send any questions to [email protected].