Maybe this message should be treated as an advance apology for non-attendance at Radstats 2008.
 
Radstats 2008 is seven months away,  So there is plenty of time for things to change.  But I have to say that the recent expulsions and the inarticulate way in which  they were carried out has left a nasty taste in my mouth.  At the moment I do not think I would be happy sitting in close physical proximity to some of those who have supported these expulsions without being able to givie reasons - either to the list or to those who have been removed.
 
The only indictment I can identify is one of 'social Darwinisn'.
 
 
I don't know whether those who have supported these expulsions are a small temporarily unbalanced clique among Radstats members or whether Radstats has indeed taken firm steps in a totalitarian direction.
 
 
I did not see any names from Scotland associated with the expulsions.   And I would welcome a statment from those who will be organizing Radstats 2008.   Will there be any specific criteria for the acceptance of papers?   
 
Will these criteria exclude offers of papers from those who have been expelled from the email list?
 
 

Ray Thomas, Faculty of Social Sciences, Open University

 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: email list for Radical Statistics [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of russell ecob
Sent: Tuesday, August 07, 2007 10:28 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: CALL FOR PAPERS - RADSTATS 2008: EDINBURGH

Yes, we are in Edinburgh next year with  the following, we think timely and appropriate, programme. Any proposals for  papers that you, or others you may know of,  will be gratefully received. We hope many of you will manage to find their way north of the border. An interesting social program (including Sunday) is being arranged and possibly a Friday evening event.

Please advertise!

 

 

CALL FOR PAPERS

 

A Decade of Devolution: Does it measure up?

 

Radical Statistics will hold its annual conference in Edinburgh, Saturday March 1st, 2008.

 

Paper proposals relating to any related topics are welcome, including:

        - Changes in attitudes toward national identity in the UK

        - Comparability of official statistics across devolved countries

        - Devolved policies on care for the elderly: is there evidence for improved quality of life?

        - Poverty and wealth inequality across the UK; mapping deprivation

        - Health statistics, mortality: is there a 'Scottish effect'?

        - Effects of tuition fees on young people in debt, or on higher education

        - Migration in an expanded EU and policy on asylum seekers

        - Voting patterns and multi-party politics

        or other relevant topic to the theme.

 

The Radical Statistics Group was formed in 1975 as part of the radical science movement associated with the establishment of the British Society for Social Responsibility in Science (BSSRS). The researchers and statisticians who started Radstats shared a common concern about the political implications of their work and an awareness of the actual and potential misuse of statistics. Members of Radical Statistics believe that statistics can be used to support radical campaigns for progressive social change.

 

Please send an abstract of your paper indicating the topic and outlining your use of statistics to the organising committee at [log in to unmask]. The deadline for proposals is Monday October.

 

 

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=========================

Russell Ecob

Ecob Consulting

36 Prospecthill Road

Glasgow G42 9LE

phone: +44(0)141-649-9354

mobile:  0779-195-6934

mail    [log in to unmask]

http://www.ecob-consulting.com

======================================

 

 

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  views held by subscribers to the Radical Statistics Group. To find out more 
  about Radical Statistics and its aims and activities and read current and past 
  issues of our newsletter you are invited to visit our web site 
  www.radstats.org.uk. 
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Please note that if you press the 'Reply' button your
message will go only to the sender of this message.
If you want to reply to the whole list, use your mailer's
'Reply-to-All' button to send your message automatically
to [log in to unmask]
Disclaimer: The messages sent to this list are the views of the sender and cannot be assumed to be representative of the range of views held by subscribers to the Radical Statistics Group. To find out more about Radical Statistics and its aims and activities and read current and past issues of our newsletter you are invited to visit our web site www.radstats.org.uk.
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