SPRU Seminar Series 2011
Social Policy in Context:
Comparisons across countries and cultures
The SPRU seminar series is an annual series of talks given by high profile academics in the field of Social Policy. SPRU has held an annual series for many years, covering themes such as social exclusion, inequality, interdependence and wellbeing. For 2011 we have chosen the theme ‘Social Policy in Context: Comparisons across countries and cultures’ to explore the potential impact of a wide variety of comparative research on the construction of scientific knowledge and on policy making. Some important questions that we hope to tackle in this theme are:
- Why consider comparative perspectives? How can comparative research contribute to the development of academic knowledge and local/global policy changes?
- Can comparative research challenge what seem to be well established concepts, assumptions, theories and responses to social policy?
- What are the different meanings of comparative research in social policy?
- What are the methodological possibilities, challenges and innovations in comparative research?
It is a good opportunity to meet other people with an interest in the field, exchange ideas and debate exciting topics in an informal environment.
Seminar programme
De-industrialization and dynamics of 'race' and 'class' in the US and the UK
Dr James Rhodes from the School of Social Sciences at the University of Manchester - link to further information
Tuesday 1 February 2011 - ARRC Auditorium, 1.15-2.15pm (A5 on this map of Alcuin College)
PDF of Dr Rhodes' presentation (886KB)
Europeanisation of disability policy
Professor Mark Priestley from the School of Sociology and Social Policy, University of Leeds - link to further information
Tuesday 1st March 2011 - ARRC Auditorium, 1.15-2.15pm (A5 on this map of Alcuin College)
PDF of Professor Priestley's presentation (108KB)
Good practice in international comparative social policy research
Professor Linda Hantrais from the Department of Politics, History and International Relations, Loughborough University - link to further information
* Monday 11th April * (NB: change of date) - ARRC Auditorium, 1.15-2.15pm (A5 on this map of Alcuin College)
Long-term care options in Europe
Ricardo Rodrigues from the European Centre for Social Welfare Policy & Research - link to further information
Tuesday 3rd May 2011 - ARRC Auditorium, 1.15-2.15pm (A5 on this map of Alcuin College)
PDF of Ricardo Rodrigues' presentation (364 KB)
Markets and migrants in the transnational care economy: A three levelled analysis
Professor Fiona Williams OBE - from the School of Sociology and Social Policy, University of Leeds - link to further information
Tuesday 7th June 2011 - ARRC Auditorium, 1.15-2.15pm (A5 on this map of Alcuin College)
PDF of Professor Williams' presentation (428 KB)
Work with young people and families at the 'edges' of care in England, Denmark, France and Germany
Dr Janet Boddy, Thomas Coram Research Institute - link to further information
Tuesday 5th July 2011 - ARRC Auditorium, 1.15-2.15pm (A5 on this map of Alcuin College)
PDF of Dr Boddy's presentation (273 KB)
Globalization and child welfare: Cross-national study of children in out-of-home care
Professor June Thoburn, Department of Social Work & Psychology, University of East Anglia - link to further information
6th September 2011 - ARRC Auditorium, 1.15-2.15pm (A5 on this map of Alcuin College)
PDF of Prof. Thoburn's presentation (333KB)
Children of imprisoned parents: a pan-European study of mental health, resilience and well-being
Professor Adele Jones - Director of the Centre for Applied Childhood Studies, University of Huddersfield - link to further information
Tuesday 4th October 2011 - ARRC Auditorium, 1.15-2.15pm (A5 on this map of Alcuin College)
********** Queen's Anniversary Prize Lecture **********
Social policy in context - reflections on ethnicity, religion and social policy
Professor Waqar Ahmad - from the School of Health and Social Sciences, Middlesex University - link to further information
Tuesday 1st November, 2011, 6.15 - 7.15pm, ARRC Auditorium. There will be a drinks reception after the lecture which is supported by the University of York, Distinguished Visitors Fund.
Abstract
British social policy has a chequered history in relation to Britain’s minority ethnic communities. Minority ethnic and religious groups have variously been seen through the lenses of colour, ethnic culture, race and latterly religion. Numbers of non-White minority groups and the extent of ethnic diversity have been regarded as a threat to British way of life and British values, against a notion of ‘Britishness’ defined in exclusive terms with racist undertones. Experiences of poverty, poor housing, racial and religious intolerance have often been underplayed with both problems and solutions to the exclusion of ethnic and religious minorities often located, by policy makers, in these communities’ biological make up, cultures or religions. This is most evident in the discourse around Britain’s Muslims, increasingly perceived as a threat to community cohesion and social integration, with the state’s relationship to the Muslim communities becoming predominantly articulated through the discourse of security. This discourse underplays the diversity within the Muslim community and disregards how Britain’s Muslims are making social and political spaces for themselves, thus transforming themselves and the British society. This paper will explore social policy’s difficult relationship with ethnic and religious diversity and highlight some challenges for the discipline.
CANCELLED - date may be rearranged, watch this space or contact Teresa Frank (see below) to be informed of the new date once it has been organised.
Young People's Transitions from Care to Adulthood
Professor Mike Stein & Emily Munro - Social Policy Research Unit, University of York and Loughborough University
Tuesday 6th December - ARRC Auditorium, 1.15-2.15pm (A5 on this map of Alcuin College)
All seminars will take place in the Alcuin Research Resource Centre (ARRC) auditorium, normally on the first Tuesday of each month between 1.15-2.15pm. (A5 on this map of Alcuin College)
For further information please contact:
Kate Gridley kate.gridley@york.ac.uk
Social Policy Research Unit, University of York
Telephone 01904 321950.
Alternatively, to receive a monthly email alert of each seminar, please email: teresa.frank@york.ac.uk
Link to SPRU seminar series 2010
Link to SPRU seminar series 2009
Link to SPRU seminar series 2008
