A third CFP

I promise, the last one today

Contexts, Fields, Positions: Situating Cultural Research
Postgraduate Conference, University of East London
25-26 May 2006

This conference will provide an opportunity to consider how research contexts shape our study of culture. In the humanities and social sciences researchers think about and deploy the concept of culture in different ways, and this is what we want to explore. We refer to 'research contexts' in their broadest sense, including cultural, institutional and disciplinary locations, theoretical positions and methodologies. How do the conditions created and maintained within these contexts determine or shape our object of study?

Questions central to this conference are:

* What kinds of analysis of culture are possible in different cultural, institutional and disciplinary contexts?
* How has your research situation constituted the methods and findings of your research?
* How has your theoretical framework helped you to select the subject you are researching and directed the approach you have taken?
* What concepts of culture circulate in your field? How do these relate to other concepts such society, politics, history, nation, experience, and memory? And what are the connections between these and theorisations of identity?
* Is your work part of an intellectual tradition? Has it been shaped by contemporary academic trends? Are your research interest strategic, and if so what has conditioned them?
* Are there other contexts which have shaped your research but are not widely recognised as significant?
* We expect the conference theme to be broadly interpreted. Some speakers may choose to focus on the findings of their research, while others may wish to address their methodological or theoretical approaches. Primarily, this conference presents an opportunity to reflect on the factors which have organised and shaped your research in a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment. It is open to postgraduate students from all disciplines and at all stages in their study.

Confirmed keynote speakers:
Professor Derek Robbins, University of East London, 'The Conflict of the Faculties'
Dr Joanna Zylinksa, Goldsmiths College, University of London, 'Beyond Moralism: Cultural Studies, Politics, Ethics'

'Contexts, Fields, Positions' is a postgraduate conference organised by postgraduate students in the School of Social Sciences, Media and Cultural Studies, East London. It is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council through the Collaborative Training Provision scheme. The conference will be held at the University's Docklands Campus.

To apply please submit an abstract of 300 words (for a 20 minute paper), or a panel proposal (3 papers).

By email: conference2006@uel.ac.uk or by post to: Karen Cross / Rebecca Bramall, School of Social Sciences, Media and Cultural Studies, University of East London, Docklands Campus, 4-6 University Way, London E16 2RD.

More info: http://www.uel.ac.uk/ssmcs/research/cfp/index.htm

When submitting your application please include the following details:
Name:
University:
Title of paper:
Abstract:
Contact telephone number:
Postal address:
Email address:
IT/AV request:

Deadline for abstracts: 28 February 2006

The conference will be free to attend. We are also please to offer a limited number of travel bursaries for students living outside London. If you wish to be considered, please submit a brief statement outlining your reasons (maximum 50 words).