CALL FOR PAPERS
EXPERTS, AUTHORITY AND LAW
UNIVERSITY OF HULL, MONDAY 14TH AND TUESDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER 2009
This interdisciplinary conference will examine the authority of
experts, the authority of law, and the relations between them.
Speakers will include:
• James Connelly, University of Hull
• Miranda Fricker, Birkbeck, University of London
• Claire Grant, University of Warwick
• Scott Hershovitz, University of Michigan
• Dimitrios Kyritsis, University of Sheffield
• Paul Roberts, University of Nottingham.
The general aim of the conference is to explore the bearing of
contemporary developments in the area of social epistemology on the
study of the institution of law. More specifically we are interested in
exploring the interrelations between epistemic and practical authority
with special reference to the authority of law. The conference will
address both theoretical and applied issues.
We welcome papers on the following themes from legal, philosophical,
historical, sociological and any other relevant perspectives.
• The nature of theoretical and practical authority. What are the
parallels and differences between the authority accorded to ex:perts
and the practical authority of legislators and judges?
• Expertise as a basis of political authority. To what extent does
the legitimate authority of legislators and judges depend on their
claim to expertise on the20matters about which they pronounce?
• Establishing and contesting expert authority in legal settings. How
do (or should) courts decide which experts to trust and what weight to
give their evidence? Is the authority claimed by experts a threat to
the claims of courts (and in particular juries) to make fair and
authoritative determinations of questions of fact?
• Experts in the democratic process. What is the proper role of
experts in making law and policy? To what extent can legal procedures
provide a model for lay decision-making based on expert knowledge (e.g.
citizens’ juries)?
Please send abstracts (c. 200 words) by 17 July 2009 to: Dr Tony Ward,
School of Law, University of Hull, e-mail [log in to unmask]
The conference fee will be £30 inclusive of lunch and light
refreshments but not including evening meals or accommodation. For
further details please contact Tony Ward (above) or Dr Antony
Hatzistavrou, Department of Humanities, University of Hull, e-mail
[log in to unmask]
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