The British Society for Phenomenology invites the submission of expressions of interest to host our Second International in 2025.
Call for Expressions of Interest in Hosting the International Symposium
The British Society for Phenomenology is a not-for-profit organisation set up with the intention of promoting research and awareness in the field of phenomenology and other cognate arms of philosophical thought and practice. One of the ways the society accomplishes these aims is through its events.
As well as our annual conference and tri-yearly online courses, the BSP convenes an International Symposium. This event is intended to foster closer links between phenomenologists working in the UK and across the world. The International Symposium will offer a platform through which to spotlight areas of excellence and innovation at a different host institution or country each year convened, entering into dialogue with visiting delegates from the BSP and exploring points of common interest.
Led by the BSP Chair of the International Symposium, Jessie Stanier, we held our first International Symposium in 2023 with phenomenology academics at Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy, entitled ‘Intercorporeality in Artifactual Milieux’.
For our second International Symposium in 2025, we are looking for a host phenomenology organisation or department with a strong phenomenological academic base outside the UK. The BSP will support this institution with co-funding and co-organisation of the event, and the host will have plenty of scope to shape the event agenda and format.
The deadline for expressing interest is end of October 2024.
Indicative suggestions for organising the event are provided below. However, it should be emphasised that host institutions are welcome to suggest alternative arrangements and develop plans in collaboration with the BSP. The event can be tailored to suit the needs and interests of the partnership.
Format
> It is proposed that the International Symposium will run as a single track in-person event, taking place over an afternoon session, evening meal, and morning session on the following day.
> Speakers will selected by the organising committee (from the host institution and the BSP). This might be through invitation or through a formal call for papers.
> Each year there will be a broad theme, selected to spotlight points of mutual interest and to generate discussion across the event. This theme is set by the representative of the host university, and agreed by the chair of the International Symposium.
> The selection of speakers will be divided equitably between the host university and the BSP. A key objective is to achieve gender balance and diversity.
> The length of papers presented and Q&A sessions will be decided by the representative of the host university, and agreed by the chair of the International Symposium.
> Speakers will have the opportunity, if they so wish, to be recorded for the BSP Podcast. There may also be scope to offer an online broadcast of the event.
> The host institution will offer catering during breaks and one evening meal.
Reasons to host the International Symposium
> You have the opportunity to spotlight areas of excellence and innovation in phenomenology at your host institution or country on an international platform.
> This event is designed to foster close international links between phenomenologists, and can serve to prepare the ground for future collaboration and funding bids.
> It is fun to run events like this and you will have a lot of freedom to shape this agenda, as well as substantial support from the BSP events team.
> Event-management and negotiating funding from your university or organisation (and/or offsetting funding with free room provision, and so on) are highly transferable skills and look excellent on a CV.
Process
> If you wish to express an interest in hosting the BSP International Symposium 2025, please contact [email protected] and request an Expression of Interest form.
> The BSP Events Team will evaluate and vote upon your expression of interest.
> If you have any questions, please contact the events team at the email address above.