* * With apologies for any cross-posting * *

Challenging Boundaries
Social Policy Association Annual Conference, The University of Edinburgh
23-25 June 2008

Throughout the world, traditional boundaries between territories, services 
and professions are being questioned.  Nationalist ministers form the 
devolved government in Scotland and hold some officers in Wales and 
Northern Ireland, challenging UK policy norms.  Policy learning is 
stronger than ever at the European and global level.  Joined-up and 
citizen-centred government challenge organizational and professional 
structures.  Edinburgh is an ideal location to reflect upon the challenges 
of this wider perspective on social policy.

The 2008 Social Policy Association Annual Conference will be held at the 
University of Edinburgh.  The conference will start with lunch on Monday 
23 June 08 and run until lunch on Wednesday 25 June 08.  Delegates will be 
accommodated in the high-grade Chancellor’s Court residences overlooking 
Holyrood Park, with sessions in the George Square central campus close to 
city centre attractions.
 
Paper proposals (abstracts) should be in the form of an e-mail attachment 
of 300-400 words mailed to [log in to unmask] by the closing date of Friday 1 
February 2008. Decisions on acceptances will be made by 22 February 2008. 
The deadline for papers will be 9 June 2008. 

Booking will open in January. Early booking at a discount has to be made 
by 23 April 2008 and the final deadline will be 23 May 2008. 

Further information, including the list of thematic streams for paper 
presentations, is available in the new edition of the SPA’s ‘Policy World’ 
and on http://www.social-policy.com and  www.socialpolicy.ed.ac.uk/.

Jochen Clasen and Richard Parry