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Call for Papers "Post-Immigration Minorities, Religion and National Identities" International Conference Centre for the Study of Ethnicity and Citizenship, University of Bristol Migration Research Unit, University College London Bristol (UK) 14-15 November 2008 __________________________________________________ >>From the 1950s and early 1960s there have been migrations of people, especially from former colonies, into the European urban centres. Subsequently, discourses of 'assimilation' and 'integration' were opened up, in different countries of Europe. As the idea of a multicultural society emerged, these discourses, together with traditional ideas of citizenship and national identity, have been challenged. Historic concerns about class inequalities have been complicated by new policy and legislative programmes on racial, ethnic and latterly religious exclusions. The slow movement towards eliminating such exclusions, especially as measured in terms of educational and economic outcomes, have raised questions about to what extent the social capital possessed by different groups, especially when gendered, is a determinant of social (im)mobility. As the non-white minority populations have grown and their concentration in certain localities has exceeded expectations, anxieties have surfaced as to whether laissez-faire segregation will increase deprivation and/or conflict between communities. The political assertions of minorities have produced contested and emergent identities as mobilisations based on colour have been eclipsed by those of ethnic origins and religion. As these groups have struggled for respect and justice and for acceptance as British, they have become a source of transformation but also tension about what it means to be British today, whether the country has become 'too diverse' and whether multiculturalism has simultaneously impeded integration whilst devaluing the indigenous, white majority. Significantly, this stress is being experienced across the political spectrum as it has come to focus on whether Muslim identity politics is challenging the privileged position of Christian culture and/or secularism that for many people is part of British national identity. The Leverhulme Programme team will address topics based on the following themes: - Ethnic Enclaves and Economic Integration - Social Capital, Gender and Differential Educational and Economic Outcomes - National Identity, Citizenship and Religious 'Difference' - Majoritarian Identities and Resentment of Multiculturalism Keynote speakers will address issues in relation to contemporary issues on minority ethnicity, religion, integration and national identity, and include: - Professor Zygmunt Bauman (Leeds) - Professor Craig Calhoun (New York University and President of the Social Science Research Council) - Professor Reina Lewis (London College of Fashion) - Professor Lord Bhikhu Parekh (Westminister) We are inviting scholars from all relevant disciplines to submit papers for this conference that complement the above themes and topics. Please send your abstract (no more than 250 words) to Sara Tonge. Deadline for submissions: 9 May 2008. Contact: Sara Tonge, Programme Adminstrator Centre for Ethnicity and Citizenship University of Bristol 2-3 Priory Road Bristol BS8 1TX United Kingdom Tel: +44 117 3310929 Fax: +44 117 9546609 Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/sociology/leverhulme/ __________________________________________________ InterPhil List Administration: http://interphil.polylog.org Intercultural Philosophy Calendar: http://cal.polylog.org
