C A L L   F O R   P A P E R S

 

Catalyst - 'practical policies for the redistribution of wealth, power and opportunity'

 

 

Catalyst, the trade-union-funded think tank chaired by Roy Hattersley, is developing a series of working papers and invites proposals for publication from academics, researchers and social practitioners.

 

 

C a t a l y s t

 

"A plucky new think tank is being set up by awkward socialists. The name of this enticingly radical forum is Catalyst." - The Daily Telegraph

 

Catalyst was established in 1998 for the purpose of promoting 'practical policies for the redistribution of wealth, power and opportunity'. Since its inception it has published work on topics such as equity in environmental policy, identity and the British state, and the contradictions of global free trade, and organised seminars around the role of the private sector in state education and the representation of ethnic minorities in a reformed second chamber.

 

Catalyst's Editorial Board is chaired by Roy Hattersley and brings together a range of key figures from the media, academia, and the trade unions. Catalyst's current Director is John Underwood, former Director of Communications for the Labour Party. Its core funding is provided by the major British trade unions.

 

More information about Catalyst's founding goals can be found by visiting www.catalyst-trust.co.uk/about.html

More information about Catalyst's past work can be found by visiting  www.catalyst-trust.co.uk/pub.html

 

 

C a t a l y s t   w o r k i n g   p a p e r s

 

Catalyst working papers are published on the Catalyst website and distributed in hardcopy to media, political, trade union and academic contacts. They are also disseminated throughout the civil service and local government through www.policybrief.org, in which Catalyst is a founding partner. Where possible we aim to generate some news coverage for our publications and in the past Catalyst's work has been featured in a number of print and broadcast outlets. In some cases we may seek to organise a seminar or debate around the ideas raised.

 

Working papers are expected to range between 2,000 and 5,000 words in length and should be written in a rigorous but accessible style. The intention is that they can be more detailed and technical than a magazine article but more immediately digestible than a full article for an academic journal. In some cases they can be shorter versions of full journal articles, with interested readers directed to the original published text.

 

The subject matter of the papers should have some bearing on the interplay between Catalyst's basic values of democracy and egalitarianism and the formation of public policy, though this might range from topics in political philosophy to the nuts and bolts of micro-policy. Among the areas in which Catalyst is currently looking to commission work are:

 

    - private finance and public services

    - employment rights and the future of work

    - democratising welfare provision

    - globalisation and international governance

    - the philosophy of equality and its practical realisation

 

though this list is in no way restrictive and Catalyst welcomes any proposals that might be relevant to its founding concerns.

 

 

C o n t a c t

 

Catalyst is very keen to hear from anyone who has conducted research or has practical experience that might be drawn on for a fresh and stimulating contribution to egalitarian arguments and the national policy debate.

 

If you are interested or would like to know more about Catalyst, please contact Martin McIvor by emailing

 

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or writing to

 

    Martin McIvor

    Research Officer

    Catalyst

    PO Box 27477

    London SW9 8WT

 

We look forward to hearing from you.