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Apologies for cross-posting WORKSHOP SERIES 2012 "FUTURE DIRECTIONS IN INTERNATIONAL COMPARATIVE SOCIAL POLICY" Organisers: Prof. Jochen Clasen, University of Edinburgh (Workshop 3) Dr Patricia Kennett, University of Bristol (Workshop 2) Prof. Martin Seeleib-Kaiser, University of Oxford (Workshop 1) Funded by: Social Policy, School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh (Workshop 3) Comparative & International Policy Analysis Research Programme, School for Policy Studies,University of Bristol,Bristol(Workshop 2) Economic and Social Research Council (Workshop 1) About the Workshop Series In the context of an increasingly internationalised, complex and uncertain world this series of workshops seeks to bring together researchers working or interested in the field of comparative social policy analysis. The aim is to create an arena in which to explore contemporary debates and issues relating to international comparative research. The series of workshops seeks to embrace both methodological and theoretical concerns across a range of substantive policy areas and, in turn, to consider the implications and strategies for teaching the subject in higher education. Workshop 1 on Comparative Methods took place in January 2012 at the Oxford Institute of Social Policy, University of Oxford. REGISTRATION FOR THE TWO REMAINING WORKSHOPS IS NOW IN PROGRESS Workshop 2 – Theories, frameworks and concepts (5 July 2012) School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol One Day Workshop This one-day workshop is concerned with exploring the range of theoretical approaches, frameworks and concepts used to explore and analyse social policy in a comparative, cross-national context across a range of substantive social policy areas. The workshop will consider the contribution and continuing relevance, or otherwise, of established theories and frameworks. It will also explore the theoretical and analytical challenges facing comparative social policy in the context of globalisation, a reconstituted state and new social risks, and strategies for addressing these challenges. As well as six invited presentations relating the theories, frameworks and concepts in international comparative social policy, we would like to include papers from researchers currently working in this area. If you would like to have your paper considered for inclusion in the workshop please send a 400 word abstract to Dr Patricia Kennett ([log in to unmask]) by Friday, 30 March 2012. To enroll for the workshop please contact Dr Patricia Kennett ([log in to unmask]). http://www.bristol.ac.uk/sps/news/2011/160.html Workshop 3-Teaching Comparative Social Policy (29 November 2012) University of Edinburgh One Day Workshop How can comparative social policy be taught? How should it be taught? Comparative, and international, social policy has gained a lot of ground in recent decades. International research networks and annual conferences have been firmly established, bringing together social policy analysts who routinely work comparatively and cross-nationally. Similarly, doctoral workshops on comparative social policy are fairly common these days. By contrast, there seems to have relatively little progress in terms of teaching comparative social policy at undergraduate and postgraduate level. The number of dedicated handbooks and texts on comparative analysis is considerably smaller than in other disciplines, such as political science or public policy. Equally, the material covered seems more arbitrarily assembled rather than systematically put together. As a result, while generally popular with UG and PG students, university courses on comparative social policy often borrow considerably from other disciplines - and seem to vary considerably in terms of substance, themes, methods covered etc. Perhaps this variation should be celebrated rather than regarded as a problem. And yet, finding an appropriate and appealing mix of methodological and thematic aspects of comparative social policy is often problematic both at UG and PG level. This workshop therefore brings together colleagues engaged, or interested, in teaching comparative social policy with the aim of sharing ideas and (best) practice. Its objective is to reflect on ways of (improving) such teaching, to contemplate which (if any) aspects should routinely be covered in the curriculum and to exchange ideas as to what may become a more systematic body of knowledge to draw on for the study of social policy at higher education level. This one-day workshop is free of charge. It will be based on invited papers and presentations on different aspects of teaching comparative social policy, followed by general discussions. To enrol for the workshop please contact Jochen Clasen ([log in to unmask]) by 31 August 2012. www.socialpolicy.ed.ac.uk.