Diotima:
A Graduate Conference for Feminist Philosophers
University
of Western Ontario
September
18-20, 2009
CALL FOR PAPERS
This conference
aims to bring together graduate students from across North America who share an
interest in feminism, post-coloniality, queer theory, critical race theory,
philosophy of disability and anti-oppression theory in general, regardless of
their primary area of research. In
doing so, we hope to encourage philosophical scholarship that is influenced by
these forms of inquiry, while promoting them as legitimate areas of study within
philosophy. The conference will
provide support for socially conscious graduate students by fostering
connections between them and by offering opportunities to benefit from
supportive feedback.
Keynote Speaker: We are very pleased to announce Alice MacLachlan, from York University, as our Keynote speaker. MacLachlan’s philosophical work is insightful and compelling. She specializes in feminist approaches to ethics, especially virtue ethics and moral psychology, and in social and political philosophy. Her current research focuses on forgiveness, reconciliation, reparation and apology, as well as the philosophy of Hannah Arendt. She also has interests in the politics of sexuality.
We invite submissions, in any area of
philosophy, that have been influenced by your feminist commitments, broadly
construed. Presenters will have 30-35
minutes to speak, followed by a 10 minute commentary and a 25-30 minute
discussion period. Papers should
be approximately 4000 words. Please
include an abstract with your submission of no more then 200 words.
We also invite proposals for a panel discussion. Three panelists will have 15 minutes to
speak followed by a 45 minute discussion period. Proposals should center on the theme of ‘new feminisms’. Topics may include but are not limited
to:
Proposals
should be 500 words detailing the main points of your presentation. You may apply as an individual or as a
group of presenters.
There will be an
outdoor fireside discussion on
Saturday night, weather permitting, on the practical challenges and rewards of
bringing your political commitments into your philosophy. Presenters should come prepared to
discuss their own experiences. Conference
attendees are encouraged to participate.
Have you tried to use personal narratives in your research? Do your political commitments clash
with your philosophical commitments?
Do you wonder whether feminism is relevant to your research if it is not
overtly political?
Finally, this
conference is meant to be fun and
productive! Come out, meet your
future colleagues, learn and relax a little.
SUBMISSIONS DEADLINE: June 15
Please send your submissions electronically to [log in to unmask] All
papers will be evaluated by blind review; identifying information should appear
in a cover letter only.
Visit our facebook group “Diotima” for further information and conference updates.