CfP: STEMM and Belief in Diverse Contexts: Publics, Praxis, Policy and Pluralism, 7–9 July 2021 Online Conference
Bursaries to support attendance are available, including (but not limited to) specific funds for digital access costs and the cost of childcare
Organised by the International Research Network for the Study of Science and Belief
in Society (INSBS)
In the last decade, there has been significant growth in social scientific and humanities research focusing on science, religion and belief in society. Greater attention is being paid to the varied ways in which perceptions of different aspects of STEMM subjects (science, technology, engineering, medicine, and mathematics) have been, or are, influenced by religious and non-religious belief, identity, community and conflict in different geographical, cultural and historical contexts.
As this field of research has grown it has engaged in
myth busting popular perceptions and stereotypes about the relationship between
science and religion, which treat both science and religious/spiritual
populations as monolithic. To date, much of this foundational research has
focused on North American contexts or debates. This conference seeks to build
on this essential work and address future avenues for research within the
social scientific and historical study of science, religion and belief in
society to examine the practical implications and applications of research in
this field. Expanding the geographical focus, the conference will encompass a
range of issues at global, or local levels around four interlinked areas:
· PUBLICS: Diverse (non)religious publics’
engagement with, and perceptions of, STEMM
· PRAXIS: Issues relating to religion and (non)belief in
scientific research or STEMM communication practices
· POLICY: Public policy analysis, exploring concerns with the
development of, or implementation of, policy connected to STEMM, and religion
or belief in society
· PLURALISM: Research on STEMM in pluralistic or
religiously diverse societies.
This conference will bring together international researchers with backgrounds in sociology, science and technology studies, psychology, political science, history, social anthropology, and related humanities or social science disciplines, to discuss perspectives on the overarching topic of science and belief in society.
We are pleased to invite submissions of papers that
relate to any aspect of STEMM in society (science, technology, engineering,
medicine, and mathematics), that discuss any religious, spiritual or
non-religious tradition, position or worldview.
Abstracts are invited for the conference relating to
the following themes:
- Public engagement with STEMM in pluralistic or religiously diverse
societies;
· The social scientific and historical
study of the relationship between science and religious and/or non-religious
belief and identity;
· Public perceptions of the relationship
between science, religion and non-religion and their respective roles in
society;
· National and international comparative
perspectives on the study of science, religion and belief in society;
· Past and present media or popular
representations of science, religion and belief in society;
· The past or present roles of science,
rationalism, religion and belief in national, social or cultural identity and
related geopolitical narratives;
· Multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary
approaches to the study of science, religion and non-religion in society;
· Methodological approaches to, and issues
in, the study of science, religion and belief in society;
· Studies on the impact of publics’ views
on science and religion on policy making, and provision for religious,
spiritual or non-religious communities across a range of geographies and issues
(e.g. healthcare provision, educational policy, science policy, environmental
policy or development).
Individual or panel session submissions may cross over
several of the themes listed above, and those intending to submit papers are
encouraged to consider the relevance of their work to other academic
disciplines.
Conference format
Due to constraints imposed by COVID 19, this
conference will be entirely online. Sessions will be held throughout the day in
order to enable people from different time zones to participate. Participants
will be given the option of pre-recording their presentations, with recordings
being submitted in advance of the conference dates. If you have any
questions or concerns about access or the conference format please email the
INSBS Project Officer Paula Brikci.
Paper and panel submission
Please note: This virtual event is a
rescheduled, online version of INSBS’s 2020 conference and covers the same
themes. If you had an abstract accepted for that event and we have not already
contacted you, please email Paula Brikci. If
you have reconfirmed your place held from the 2020 Conference, you do not need
to respond to this Call and we will contact you with more information after 12
March.
Individual paper submissions
To submit a paper proposal, please write a title and
abstract of no more than 300 words, alongside a biographical note of no more
than 200 words (please use the online form - link below).
Panel session proposals
We will also be accepting a limited number of panel
proposals with a maximum of four speakers. To submit a panel proposal, using
the online form (link below) please send a session summary of no more than 250
words, alongside abstracts of no more than 300 words for each individual paper
and a short biography of no more than 200 words for each contributor. The
format and individual presentation length for panel sessions is flexible, but
please note that panel sessions must not take longer than 90 minutes overall.
Contributor Biographies
For all submissions, please send a biography of no
more than 200 words for each contributor, including name, institutional
affiliation, email address, primary discipline or subject area, a statement
regarding career stage (e.g., early career, mid-career), and if possible a link
to a personal profile on an institutional web page or similar.
Biographies of successful applicants will be added to the International
Network’s Research Directory. Please indicate on your
application if you would like to opt out of being added to the Research
Directory.
All submissions must made online at: https://scienceandbeliefinsociety.org/2021/02/08/call-for-papers-stemm-and-belief-in-diverse-contexts-publics-praxis-policy-pluralism/.
All abstracts and panel proposals must be submitted
online by March
12, 2021.
Conference Costs and Bursaries:
This conference is wholly funded by the International
Research Network for the Study of Science and Belief in Society, as part of a
3-year grant from the Templeton Religion Trust. A number of bursaries are
available to help with costs that may be incurred as a result of conference
attendance.
These bursaries can be used to cover costs including
(but not limited to) digital access/data packages or childcare, but may not be
used for hardware (e.g. laptops etc.). We will prioritise those who have the
most need such as postgraduate, early career, retired, low income/unwaged, or
any researcher who may not ordinarily be able to access institutional funds or
equipment to attend conferences.
To request a bursary or any additional support, when
submitting your abstract, please complete the additional box on the online
submission form, giving a short statement of why you would like to be
considered for one of the bursaries.
Key Dates:
Abstract submission opens: 15 February 2021
Deadline for online submissions (abstracts, panels
& bursaries): 12 March 2021
Decision notification/registration opens: 16
April 2021
Registration deadline for presenters: 28 May
2021
The conference is supported by the Templeton Religion
Trust and is being held as part of the activities of the International Research
Network for the Study of Science and Belief in Society, based at the University
of Birmingham (UK).
For more information about the conference or wider network please contact
Dr Alexander Hall.