Saturday, April 28, 2007
BSA conference
Me again -- sorry.
The School paid for me to attend the BSA Annual Conference at the University of East London (Docklands Campus.The location was a real disappointment and the Conference was rather dull, I am afraid.
The highlight for me was the Keynote delivered by the legendary Prof B Latour. Latour is famous for popularising 'Actor Network Theory' which has been much discussed in sociology, geography and economics, but he chose to pursue some themes related to Lovelock and the latest version of the 'Gaia Hypothesis'. The speech was very French -- not PowerPoint, no notes, hilarious digs at Anglo social theory and philosophy and very witty and ironic discussion based on what we would have to do if we took Lovelock seriously.
The other session were rather disappointing --classic RAE-affected stuff I thought with little bitty papers carefully hoarding an insight or two, ready to offer the next stage in the next paper so you can get 4 in all.
I was ill for some of the sessions too, but managed to get to a couple in each slot. I shall be pleased to 'cascade' to any interested colleagues.
Dave Harris
The School paid for me to attend the BSA Annual Conference at the University of East London (Docklands Campus.The location was a real disappointment and the Conference was rather dull, I am afraid.
The highlight for me was the Keynote delivered by the legendary Prof B Latour. Latour is famous for popularising 'Actor Network Theory' which has been much discussed in sociology, geography and economics, but he chose to pursue some themes related to Lovelock and the latest version of the 'Gaia Hypothesis'. The speech was very French -- not PowerPoint, no notes, hilarious digs at Anglo social theory and philosophy and very witty and ironic discussion based on what we would have to do if we took Lovelock seriously.
The other session were rather disappointing --classic RAE-affected stuff I thought with little bitty papers carefully hoarding an insight or two, ready to offer the next stage in the next paper so you can get 4 in all.
I was ill for some of the sessions too, but managed to get to a couple in each slot. I shall be pleased to 'cascade' to any interested colleagues.
Dave Harris
# posted by A Sociologist : 1:37 PM
