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---- 2nd Call for Papers ---- Paradigmatic Cities? A two-day conference organised by the RGS-IBG Urban Geography Research Group Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th November 2006 Scottish Trade Union Congress, Glasgow, Scotland ______________________________________________________________ Urban studies has a long history of identifying particular cities as emblematic of urbanism more generally. Through such processes certain cities have emerged as ‘obligatory points of passage’ within the urban studies literature: whether because apparently emblematic of particular ‘urbanisms’ (for example, Paris as the birthplace of urban modernism, or Los Angeles as the eponymous ‘post-metropolis’) or of more specific processes (for example, revanchism = New York, diversity = Toronto). Such tendencies have come in for sustained critique in recent years. Where some have launched what might be termed a ‘thin critique’ (challenging the paradigmatic status of one city, only to substitute that city for another), others have mounted a more serious challenge to the identification of ‘paradigmatic’ cities per se. Yet despite these critiques, tendencies remain in the urban studies literature to focus disproportionately on a small number of cities, as well as to identify newly paradigmatic places (witness the re-emergence of a ‘Chicago School’ at this year’s AAG). The aim of this two-day conference is to provide a forum for genuine debate concerning the epistemologies and academic politics of paradigmatic thinking in urban studies. To this end we are adopting a slightly unusual format, with a small number of Key Note Speakers interspersed with shorter position papers and open discussion. We are currently seeking expressions of interest from any one wishing to present a POSITION PAPER at this event. Position papers should be no longer than *7-10 minutes* and designed to foster debate and discussion. Though contributors should not feel unduly restricted by these themes, it is anticipated that authors will situate their papers in one of two main themes - considering, Paradigmatic thinking as epistemology AND/OR Paradigmatic thinking and the politics of the academy – and may want to consider addressing questions such as: - What are the *advantages* - conceptual, methodological, political - of working with paradigms? - To what extent is such a tendency evident in other parts of the academy, or beyond? To what extent do the cities identified in other fields overlap with/conflict with the cities holding center stage in urban studies? - In light of recent debate about the need for geographers to engage with policy makers and practitioners, how might the identification of key cities help/hinder an engagement between urban studies and these other fields - and with the public and policy makers? Attached (in PDF format) is a full outline and CFP providing further details on the themes and format for conference. This document can also be obtained by visiting (and clicking on ‘announcements’): http://www.urban-geography.org.uk Expressions of interest and/or abstracts (250 words) by 31st August 2006 to: Jon May, Department of Geography, Queen Mary, University of London [log in to unmask] _______________________________________________________ [log in to unmask] An urban geography discussion and announcement forum List Archives: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/URB-GEOG-FORUM Maintained by: RGS-IBG Urban Geography Research Group UGRG Home Page: http://www.urban-geography.org.uk