University of Toronto, Canada
The Event In August 2003, the International Sociological Association's Research Committee on Poverty, Social Welfare and Social Policy (RC 19) will hold its annual academic conference at the University of Toronto. The RC 19 annual conference draws together leading international scholars in the field of comparative welfare state studies and encompasses a range of disciplines including sociology and political science. The Theme As we enter the 21st century, the welfare state edifice constructed in the post-war decades faces new challenges that have shifted the terrain of both public policy debate and, by extension, the analytical agenda for welfare state research. In the new agenda, the emphasis is less on protecting individuals and families from market-generated changes and risks and more on equipping individuals and families to participate in markets and to adapt to change. In the Anglo-European world, there has been remarkable convergence around a new social politics emphasizing social investment in human capital (education and training) and social services (child and elder care) that facilitate participation in the market-topics that have traditionally been less central to comparative welfare state studies. Simultaneously, the dramatic changes in Eastern Europe and emergent welfare states in Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa have greatly expanded the empirical horizon of traditional comparative welfare state studies. As many of these countries experience dramatic developments (such as the deepening of the democratisation process, economic globalisation, demographic shifts, and intensification of civil society engagement in social politics) they pose a particular challenge to theoretical traditions deeply embedded in the historical experience of the affluent Anglo-European democracies, and at the same time bring a wealth of new ideas, questions, contentions, and possibilities for the traditional comparative welfare state research. The RC 19 Conference, New Challenges for Welfare State Research, is an invitation for innovative theory and research with a comparative focus that addresses the challenges posed to traditional theory and research both by new welfare state agendas and by the emergent "worlds of welfare" beyond the boundaries of the Anglo-European welfare states. Who is eligible to participate? RC19 Members Members of RC 19 are invited to submit a completed (but unpublished) paper or a detailed abstract indicating the leading research question, theoretical approach, research methods, data sources and analytical significance (Deadline: Jan. 15, 2003). Papers and abstracts may be submitted by regular mail or sent by e-mail to: sebastien.starnaud@utoronto.ca Abstracts/papers are evaluated by a review committee, and notification of acceptance or rejection is sent to the authors by March 15, 2003. Non-Members Membership in RC 19 is open to social scientists from all disciplines upon payment of a modest membership fee. If you are not already a member, please contact the RC19 Secretary, Torben Friedberg at tf@sfi.dk. Conference Format Regular Workshops Completed papers are due June15, 2003 and circulated to conference participants via the conference website. Workshops are organized thematically around three or four papers. Papers are presented by discussants, not by the authors, followed by open discussion. Mentoring Workshops The presence of a large number of international experts in public policy creates a special opportunity for junior researchers and graduate students to present their research for discussion. As part of the conference design, we will create a "mentoring market" to match new researchers with senior scholars working in related areas. As for the regular workshops, PhD candidates and post-doctoral students are invited to submit papers or abstracts by January 15, 2003 and completed papers by mid-June. Costs Registration Fee: A "voluntary" registration fee of $75 Canadian (approximately $50 U.S.) will be requested from regular university faculty from high-income countries to subsidise participants from low-income countries. Accommodation: Hotel: estimated daily charge of C$125 University Residence: estimated daily charge of C$50 with option of including breakfast. List of Accomodations. Morning coffee, lunch, and afternoon coffee breaks will be provided daily to all conference participants. Participants will also be invited to an opening night banquet hosted by one of our sponsors. Most non-Canadians will find the Canadian exchange rate (C$1.00 = U.S. 0.64) quite attractive. Financial Support We anticipate being able to provide partial travel and living subsidies for three participants who: come from a low-income or soft currency country, would not be able to attend the conference without the support, and whose paper is accepted for presentation. If there are more than three persons meeting the criteria, the organizers will select among those applying according to criteria of academic merit and financial need. To apply for a partial subsidy, please make your request in a short paragraph indicating your financial situation along with your submission. Provisional programme Thursday Aug. 21 noon: registration, opening session, first session, conference banquet Friday-Saturday, Aug 22-23: Research workshops Sunday Aug 24: Concluding workshops, RC 19 business meeting, end of conference The Locale: The University of Toronto is located in central Toronto with easy access to the city's rich cultural institutions including museums, theatres, cinemas, and restaurants. For more information consult: http://www.toronto.com/ http://www.city.toronto.on.ca/ http://www.torontolife.com/Index.cfm Organizers John Myles and Ito Peng Department of Sociology University of Toronto 725 Spadina Ave. Toronto, ON M5S 2J4 e-mail: john.myles@utoronto.ca itopeng@chass.utoronto.ca Conference Coordinators Tanya Jewell Tel: 416-946-5912 Fax: 416-978-3963 e-mail: sociology.research@utoronto.ca Sebastien St.-Arnaud Tel: 416-946-5910 Fax: 416-978-3963 e-mail: sebastien.starnaud@utoronto.ca [ Back to Top ]