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International Social Theory Consortium 2015 Annual Conference
UPDATED JUNE 7, 2015 We are pleased to announce the 14th Annual Conference of the International Social Theory Consortium to be held at the University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK, June 17-19, 2015. The theme of this year's meeting is 'Reconstructing Social Theory, History and Practice' dedicated to interrogating the contributions and limits of 'deconstruction' and the possibilities of a return of history. In addition we continue the ISTC's tradition of encouraging discussion across the entire range of topics under the general heading of social theory. Reconstucting Social Theory, History and Practice With regard to developments in social theory, the past 30 years can be characterized as an Age of Deconstruction. Inspired by post-structuralism, postmodernism, critical theory, and science studies, as well as combinations of related approaches, theorists have endeavored to shatter historical meta-narratives and struggled to include previously excluded standpoints in social thought. This important trend no doubt has informed our understanding of the role of discourse, difference and expertise in determining relations of power and inequality. The central theme of the 2015 annual meeting of the International Social Theory Consortium (ISTC) will be “Reconstruction”, dedicated to taking account of and interrogating the possibility of picking up the pieces. Are there limits to the deconstruction project, and have these limits been reached? What are the possibilities for the ‘reconstruction’ of narratives of long-term historical change? Is it possible to include and integrate the insights and contribution of various critiques of knowledge, while at the same time developing new forms of knowledge? Can we submit the project of deconstruction itself to deconstruction? Essential to such a project of “deconstructing deconstruction” would be a return to history—acknowledging its continuing importance as a social-theoretical category and frame, considering its persistent utility after decades of sobering realizations, and accepting the fact that, by most accounts, history has not reached its end. How would social science disciplines – e.g. economics – benefit from new perspectives on understanding long-term change? What might, could and should a new philosophy of history – subsequent to so many ‘turns’ – look like? What are the possibilities for practice in addressing social justice and democracy, with the benefit or in the absence of long-term historical consciousness? |
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2015 conference schedule
The 2015 meeting will take at the University of Cambridge from 17-19 June. Check this page for a full programme soon. All talks will be delivered in the Mill Lane Lecture Rooms: http://map.cam.ac.uk/Mill+Lane+Lecture+Rooms#52.201822,0.117266,18. The first keynote address will take place at 1:30pm on 17 June and the conference will conclude no later than 5pm on 19 June. For those interested in joining, there will be an outing on 20 June which will be a leisurely walk across Grantchester Meadows to The Orchard, where Virginia Woolf, Bertrand Russell, Ludwig Wittgenstein and J.M. Keynes used to have tea. We will leave at 11:30 and should reach the Orchard by 1pm. We therefore recommend a stay in Cambridge from 16-20 June - for advice on Accommodation see below |
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2015 Annual Conference confirmed speakers and presenters include:
Keynote Speakers: Sarah Franklin, Cambridge University Timothy Luke, Virginia Polytechnic and State University Lois McNay, Oxford University Tony Smith, Iowa State University Stephen Turner, University of South Florida including ISTC Co-Directors: Gurminder Bhambra Harry F. Dahms as well as: Kehinde Andrews Les Back Patrick Baert Matteo Bortolini Daniel Chernillo Justin Cruickshank Dave Elder-Voss John Holmwood David Inglis Steve Kemp Alana Lentin Veronique Mottier William Outhwaite Rolf Rogowski Brian Singer Simon Susen In addition, expect papers and presentations on a full range of topics including: > Reconstructionin theory, research and practice > Philosophy of History in an Age of Deconstruction > Reconstructing Theories of the State and Politics > The Limits, Horizons and Possibilities of Critique > Knowledge, Authority and Expertise > Historicizing Social Theory > Reconstructing the Story of Modern Societies > Social Theory as the Link between the Past and the Future > Social Theory after/beyond the Human Check back here soon for the full programme! |
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The 2015 meeting of the International Social Theory Consortium will take place at the Mill Lane Lecture Rooms. This is located in the centre of town near the market, King's Parade and Free School Lane.
There are many options for accommodation, but we recommend the following hotels and inns as the most economical. Bear in mind, Cambridge real estate is unfortunately comparable to London city prices. In the interest of encouraging students and visitors from overseas, the organisers have opted to eliminate a conference fee to make your stay more economical. This will, however, mean that all meals will be covered by delegates. We will, of course, endeavour to offer suitable recommendations for food and drink closer to the date of the conference meeting. We will also arrange group suppers out during the evenings of the conference. |
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Questions? - Contact us at istc2015@socialtheory.org
Organizers: Eric R. Lybeck, Department of Sociology, Cambridge University -- erl37@cam.ac.uk Harry F. Dahms, Department of Sociology, University of Tennessee-Knoxville -- hdahms@utk.edu |
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See below hotels and booking sites that may be of use:
ARUNDEL HOUSE HOTEL ASHLEY HOUSE THE GONVILLE HOTEL ROYAL CAMBRIDGE HOTEL CAMBRIDGE CITY CENTRE HOTEL REGENT HOTEL Be sure to email hotels directly to see if any discounts are available for visitors of the University. For the complete list, visit the web-site. Check out these two websites: www.laterooms.com www.booking.com |
