Critical Psychology and
Action Research
Ian Parker is announcing an international conference, July 13-16. 1999 on Critical Psychology and Action Research at the Discourse Unit at Bolton Institute in Britain.

This conference has three aims, and the final call for papers is for three different kinds of work: 
 

(i) to bring together critical
psychologists, and for this we invite critical psychologists working practically and/or theoretically to submit proposals

(ii) to bring together good examples of action research, and for this we invite action researchers working with the theory and/or practice of action
research to submit proposals; and 

(iii) to expore connections between critical psychology and action research, and for this we invite psychologist working at the interface of critical  perspectives and action research to present their work.
 

The final deadline for abstracts is 31st April 1999 (100-150 words for papers).

The conference is designed to provide an overview of key themes in
critical psychology and action research, and the links between the
two, and so the structure takes us through conceptual / practical /
historical foundations, theoretical / cultural / institutional resources, arenas in which action esearch has been developed, and threads of debate and difference between perspectives. Keynote talks on themes through the four days are complemented by plenary sessions, submitted papers and symposia and workshops.

The conference will provide a forum to discuss ways of changing the
world through varieties of action research, and to critically reflect
on how psychology needs to change to be up to the task. There will be
keynote talks, individual papers, symposia and workshops. The
conference will encompass theories, methods and examples of action
research. Sessions will focus on issues of conscientization, cultural
destabilization, education inclusion campaigns, feminist research,
mental health intervention, practical deconstruction and radical
therapeutic activities. Abstracts of successful submissions will be
published at the conference, and selected papers published in Annual
Review of Critical Psychology.

Lunches, teas and first year subscription to Annual Review of Critical Psychology, which will be launched at the conference, are included in the cost. Further information on the conference is on the Bolton Institute Psychology Website: