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Call for papersConference theme and sub-themes What role does education, knowledge, cultural skills and other specific types of expertise play in processes of elite production and reproduction? How do these different dimensions contribute to the construction of elite identities, positions and social legitimacy? To what extent are processes of elite reproduction more or less important after the significant expansion of higher education? How have national elite groups been affected by the globalisation of educational and professional pathways and by other changes in the modes of access to elite jobs and positions? What has been the impact of economic, social and political changes on the type of expertise required from individuals in elite positions across different policy sectors and professions in different countries? Keynote speakers Shamus Khan, University of Columbia This conference aims to address these questions by inviting papers from researchers in sociology and political science, as well as in related disciplines (such as history, anthropology, education). It will be organised around the two following sub-themes. Sub-theme 1 Throughout the 20th century, traditional elites have shown an extraordinary capacity to reproduce their status and power through sophisticated educational strategies. Within this sub-theme we have identified a range of research questions we are interested in exploring further:
Another central focus within this sub-theme would be the kinds of knowledge, skills, and dispositions that are acquired in elite educational institutions. More specifically, participants are encouraged to propose papers on the following topics:
Sub-theme 2 Despite a growing awareness that educational and professional selection systems are not perfectly meritocratic, there remains a strong sense of trust about the link between expertise and legitimately holding positions of power. That is to say, that the people who enter the top strata of public administration, politics, business or liberal professions are generally perceived to possess the skills and knowledge that make them deserving of the power and privilege they hold due to their position. But what is the nature of the connection between knowledge, power and privilege among professional elites? Which kind of knowledge legitimizes elite power in different contexts? Further questions include: how is expertise attained, and what are the conditions for accessing and mastering authoritative expertise? What is the relationship between knowledge and skills acquired in educational institutions, or via on-the-job training, within professional organization? What other social dispositions are critical for the selection and legitimation of social and professional elites? Do the idea of the knowledge society, and the role of experts therein, accentuate or reduce the gap between elites and non-elites? Contributions to this theme could focus on how distinct disciplines or fields of knowledge (i.e. law, economics, engineering or administrative science) shape the legitimation of elites in different sectors of society. How do disciplinary, institutional, professional and/or cultural logics interplay with such processes of legitimation? Do different kinds of knowledge underpin different kinds of elites or different kinds of power? What is the role of expertise in the legitimation of political elites? And in what ways does expert training contribute to shaping elite status? Papers might also like to focus on the connections between certain professions and elite positions, or on how certain professions have lost or gained elite status over time. What are the dimensions along which such professions are defined as elite, and what are the processes or mechanisms that contribute to the acquiring or loss of elite status? Have processes of internationalisation –of educational institutions, of students and professionals or of science and ideas– altered the status of certain professional elites?
Scientific committee
Steps to follow to participate: 1) Online submission of abstracts: June 1, 2014 The scientific committee will make a selection of participants based on the quality and relevance of the submitted abstracts. We invite both established researchers and doctoral students to submit abstracts. Abstracts’ expected length is between 500 and 800 words and should include a title, the names and institutional affiliations of authors and a short bibliography. 2) Announcement of selected proposals: July 1, 2014 3) Online deposit of papers: September 15, 2014 Papers’ expected length is between 6000 and 8000 words. Although papers will not be published as such, some might be considered for publication projects linked to the conference depending on the quality and relevance to the topics addressed. The organisers cannot pay for participants’ travel and accommodation but can consider requests for financial help from doctoral students within the limits of the available budget. Coffee and lunch during the conference as well as a conference dinner on October 23 will be provided for all participants.
Contact information
Updated information: http://eliteduc2014.sciencesconf.org/
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