The conference will be the first of two collaborative events between the University of Roehampton and St Mary's University which will link with and develop themes by exploring human rights, social justice, political authority and social activism in the context of new patterns of migration and global change.
Sociology and Contemporary Global Social Activism Conference
The University of Roehampton’s Department of Social Sciences and the Sociology Programme at St Mary’s University are to host a one day conference at St Mary’s on 15 June 2012. It will be the first of two collaborative events between the institutions, the second being a conference at Roehampton in 2013. This will link with and develop themes by exploring human rights, social justice, political authority and social activism in the context of new patterns of migration and global change.
Since the on-going financial crisis starting in 2008 confidence in the dominant neoliberal political, social and economic model has been eroded at the global level. This has manifested itself in countless initiatives, protests and mobilizations contesting and critiquing multiple aspects of the contemporary crisis of contemporary capitalism. From the ‘Arab Spring,’ the Wall Street and St Paul’s protests and occupations and the crisis in the European Union, through to the progressive political initiatives in Latin America the world is witnessing the explosion of social energies and the search for political, social and economic alternatives to the present order of things.
The conference aims to create a fertile and productive dialogue between the multiplicity of sociological voices researching into the contemporary crisis and the search for global social justice.
Confirmed keynote speakers and topics:
• Ms Hayet Bahri, University of Westminster
Women and the Arab Spring
• Dr Ana Dinerstein, University of Bath
Protest and political and Social Alternatives in Latin America
• Professor Nur Masalha, St Mary’s University College
The Arab Spring
• Dr Geoffrey Pleyers, University of Louvain
The Global Justice Movement in Europe since the Crisis
Call for Papers:
We invite SUBMISSION OF CONFERENCE PAPER ABSTRACTS (no more than 300 words) from academics/activists interested in giving a paper on anything related to the above and invite delegates who wish to attend the conference.
Deadline for papers: 28 April 2012
Contact for submission: Dr. David Evans evansd@smuc.ac.uk
Delegate Registration:
Full rate (includes teas/coffees, lunch and reception) £45 per person
Unwaged/student £30 per person
Deadline for registration: 28 May 2012
Contact: Jessica Jeske jessica.jeske@smuc.ac.uk