Equal Opportunities International Conference

I have been emailed the details for the following conference, which may be of interest to some. The topic of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in times of crisis will be of particular pertinence given the Business Secretary’s recent announcement that new legislation which might create additional burdens for business will be reviewed.

EOI 2009 Conference, 15-17 July 2009, ISTANBUL, Turkey
“Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Times of Crises”
www.eoi-conference.org
EOI 2009 Conference will take place at Bosphorus University (Istanbul), one of the foremost academic institutions in Turkey: http://www.boun.edu.tr/resimler/guney_kampus_1.html

Stream Call for Papers: Theorising Equality and Diversity in Crisis?
Track Chairs:
Hazel Conley, Queen Mary University of London: e-mail H.Conley@qmul.ac.uk
Sue Durbin, University of the West of England: e-mail Sue.Durbin@uwe.ac.uk

The subject of this stream has a dual purpose. Theorising equality and diversity has always been a controversial and contested project. The current global economic crisis, whilst adding to the complexity of the debates, makes pressing the case for equality and diversity even more vital. The mainstay of arguments for equality and diversity has been, for the last two decades, dominated by the business case that has all but evaporated along with the confidence of global business. The new global economic giants, such as China and India, have limited and questionable histories in relation to labour rights generally with rights for women and minorities particularly limited. At the same time the jaded developed economies are struggling with their commitment to the equality and diversity agenda, both economically and politically. The US faces a continuing ‘backlash’ against positive action and Europe continues to grapple with equality and migration legislation that appear to stand in direct contradiction with each other. Feminism is seen to be a thing of the past (or post!) and multiculturalism has been eclipsed by social inclusion. The only ray of hope in this bleak global landscape is the election of Barack Obama as the President of the US. However politicians of all persuasions will be lobbied hard to reduce the ‘burdens on business’. Past experience and early indications suggest that gains made in equality and diversity policy are likely to be the first casualty of recessionary measures, even though those that will suffer the most are the already vulnerable. The relationship between labour market segmentation and segregation means that disadvantaged groups are located in economically volatile sectors and insecure jobs. In addition, recession often results in protectionism at a number of different levels from the State to the workplace. Equality and Diversity are viewed as ‘risky’ issues at a time when risk is shunned.
The ensuing ideological battle between the new business logic and social justice will require a strong theoretical basis for equality and diversity and a clarity that has so far been lacking if policy makers are to be dissuaded from viewing them as luxuries we can no longer afford. This call for papers is therefore seeking to bring together academic ideas and research that will add to the debate. Both theoretical and empirical papers that inform theory are welcomed. Papers will be sought that address, but are not limited to, the following:
• Is the business case dead?
• What does corporate social responsibility mean for the equality and diversity agenda?
• Is equality and diversity reducible to economics and resources?
• Have the barriers to equality and diversity changed?
• Who is most at risk in the current economic slowdown?
• Has equality been achieved for some traditionally disadvantaged groups?
• Can legislative reform withstand the economic crisis?
• Are equality and/or diversity human rights?
• Is the equality agenda progressing for workers in the new leading economies?
• In what ways do informal practices affect equality and diversity?
• Whose jobs will the trade unions protect?
• Does the economic crisis mean that the light at the end of the equality and diversity tunnel has been switched off?

EOI Conference welcomes three forms of paper submissions to regular streams:

• Extended abstract: Customarily an extended abstract should be approximately 300 words including references. This is suitable for policy, intervention or research in its early stages of development.
• Developmental papers: These should be approximately 3000-5000 words, including references.
• Full papers: These are longer contributions less than 40 sides of A4 including references.

Abstracts and papers should be submitted electronically – the manuscript submission site will open in the first week of February, and will close on 15 May, 2009. Final session lists for each stream are due on 15 June 2009. All submissions to the EOI conference should be original pieces which are not published elsewhere in any other form.
Stream chairs may organise the sessions in different ways. However, in general, paper presentations at the conference will be a maximum of 20 minutes long, with 10 minutes for questions and discussion. Data projectors will be available in each conference room.
Important dates
Abstract or full paper submission: 15 May 2009
Response to authors: 15 June 2009
Full conference schedule will be available 1 July 2009