Online workshop, 12-16 April 2021
The International Research Network for the Study of Science and Belief in Society (INSBS) will be running an international PhD workshop online from 12-16 April 2021. The workshop is open to anyone currently enrolled on a PhD programme and conducting research on any social or cultural aspect of Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths or Medicine (STEMM) in relation to any religious, spiritual or non-religious tradition, position or worldview, including unbelief.
We welcome PhD candidates from all regions and countries worldwide and from a range of disciplines across the social sciences and humanities, including (but not limited to): sociology of religion, psychology of religion, science and technology studies, sociology of health/medicine, media and cultural studies, social anthropology, politics, the history and philosophy of science/religion and religious studies.
In keeping with the aim of INSBS, to support the growth of high-quality international research examining the relationship between science and belief in relation to cutting edge social issues and individuals’ lived experiences, the workshop seeks to introduce PhD candidates from a range of disciplines and geographical contexts to foundational readings on science and belief in society.
The PhD Workshop will focus on cutting-edge research in the study of science and belief in society, introducing PhD students to key themes including:
The challenges and benefits of incorporating multidisciplinary perspectives into your work
- Internationalising perspectives beyond Western conceptions of science and belief
- The difficulties of categorisation in both quantitative and qualitative approaches to studying science and belief in society
The workshop will take the form of a series of five daily workshops and reading groups. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss readings and content with the academic authors of the work. We will be running each session twice (at different times on the same day), to accommodate as best as possible those in different time zones. Participants will be expected to read/listen to a maximum of 10 pieces of academic work (articles, chapters, podcasts) in advance of the workshop – all of which will be provided by INSBS.
INSBS is based at the University of Birmingham, and led by team members from the Science, Knowledge and Belief in Society Research Group.
Honorariums: We have a limited number of small honorariums to help cover any costs associated with attending this online workshop. For example, these could be used to cover the cost of purchasing mobile data where wifi access is unreliable or the cost of additional childcare or dependent care.
To apply to participate in the workshop please send a short biography (maximum five hundred words) outlining your research interests and your interest in the workshop, along with a short Curriculum Vitae/Resume (maximum two pages). If you require an honorarium to help support your attendance at the workshop, please add a short statement (maximum two hundred and fifty words) outlining the reason for requiring an honorarium (internet access, childcare etc.) and the amount you are requesting (maximum £100 GBP).
Please note honorariums cannot be used to cover salaries or wages.
Please email applications to Paula Brikci (P.E.Brikci@bham.ac.uk).
The closing date for applications is Tuesday 9th February 2021.