Apologies for cross posting

PhD Workshop: 'Thinking Critically about Governance: Explorations of Power 
in  Practice', 15-17 April 2009, University of Bath.


The Governance Research Group in the Department of Social and Policy 
Sciences at the University of Bath is pleased to present a doctoral 
workshop, 'Thinking Critically about Governance: Explorations of Power in 
Practice', sponsored by the University of Bath and the Social Policy 
Association.

This will be a fully participative and interactive event, organised around 
three key themes in contemporary governance studies (see below). The 
workshop will consist of a series of key note talks around these themes led 
by Professor Janet Newman and Professor John Clarke at the Open University, 
and Dr Emma Carmel at the University of Bath, followed by a series of small 
group discussions. The small group discussions will be facilitated by the 
key note speakers, and will provide an opportunity for delegates to present 
PhD work in progress in relation to one of the key themes. The workshop 
will therefore provide an opportunity for participants to talk about their 
research in the context of the themes, and progress their understanding of 
some of the key issues in governance studies. The purpose of the workshop 
is therefore to have a productive discussion around some of the challenging 
issues in governance studies in a supportive environment, and move 
participants forward in their own thinking and research on governance. In 
addition, one of the intended outcomes of the event is a governance 
research network which, it is hoped, will engage participants and others in 
future events and collaborations.

The workshop will explore critically the following themes in the governance 
literature:


1. The Logics and Principles of Governance
This theme explores the principles and logics which govern the way 
governing is done, and the implications of these for the exercise of power. 
It is concerned with the various discourses, ideologies, and concepts which 
underpin, and make possible, forms of governance arrangements in terms of 
both the governing structure and level. A predominant, but not exclusive, 
focus will be placed on the role of the state, and particular attention 
will be given to examining changing principles and logics of governance and 
what can therefore be identified as the changing role of the state.

2. Governing Social Worlds
This theme explores the question of who is being governed; how publics, 
peoples and groups are addressed or created for the purposes of governance. 
It will consider how people are activated and engaged in governance, how 
self regulating or self governing subjects are produced, or how they resist 
and what form resistance takes.

3. The Processes and Practices of Governance
This theme explores the dynamics of governance processes, and is concerned 
with how governance is played out in practice on the ground. It will 
consider the tensions and contradictions in governance strategies, what 
they produce, and how actors respond to these ambiguities. This theme will 
therefore consider different modes of governance and their practices, and 
the implications for the actors/organisations involved.

Through critical examination of the key themes, the workshop will address 
the cross-cutting theme of power. The workshop will seek to tease out some 
of the conceptual and analytical challenges that the idea of power presents 
to researchers of governance, and progress participants' understanding of 
power relations in governance studies.

If you do not wish to attend the workshop but may be interested in joining 
a possible research network on governance after the event, please contact 
us and we will add you to our mailing list.

Information for Applicants

The workshop will take place from 15-17 April 2009 at the University of 
Bath. The workshop fee per participant is £65, which includes 
accommodation, meals, workshop materials and a dinner in the World Heritage 
City of Bath. Please note that participants will have to cover their own 
travel expenses.

Interested applicants are invited to send an abstract of their PhD research 
which addresses one of the key themes of the workshop. Abstracts must be no 
more than 500 words. The deadline for abstracts is 16 Jan 2009. Abstracts 
received after this date will not be considered, due to the limited number 
of places available. Applicants will be advised whether they have been 
successful by 16 Feb 2009.

The workshop seeks contributions from PhD students from a range of 
disciplines who address critically the key themes of the workshop 
including: Social Policy, Public Policy, Public Administration, Political 
Science, International Relations, Health and Social Care Studies, Social 
Psychology, Sociology and Anthropology. It is intended to have a mix of 
students in each discussion group, from a range of universities and 
disciplines.


For further questions, please contact [log in to unmask]


We look forward to welcoming you to the University of Bath,


Jenny Harlock, Sarah Morgan-Trimmer, Hannah Durrant.


Governance Research Group
Department of Social and Policy Sciences
University of Bath
BA2 7AY