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.

We have papers so far from Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Finland, Mexico, Portugal, South Africa, United States and Venezuela. The final deadline for abstracts is 31st April 1999 (100-150 words for papers).

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: http://www.sar.bolton.ac.uk/Psych/
 

Participants include:

Kum-Kum Bhavnani (USA) 
Erica Burman (UK)
Mark Burton (UK)
Ron Coleman (UK) 
Ignacio Dobles (Costa Rica) 
Ole Dreier (Denmark) 
Sally French (UK)
Eugenie Georgaca (UK)
Angel J. Gordo-Lopez (Spain)
Grahame Hayes (South Africa) 
Bernardo Jimenez-Dominguez (Mexico) 
Carolyn Kagan (UK) 
John Kaye (Australia)
Kevin Kelly (South Africa) 
Deborah Marks (UK)
Ruth Merttens (UK)
Maritza Montero (Venezuela) 
Conceicao Nogueira (Portugal) 
Eero Riikonen (Finland) 
John Rowan (UK)
Tod Sloan (USA)
John Swain (UK) 
Sara Vataja (Finland) 
Joe Whittaker (UK)

Conference sessions

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 research 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 include events around practical activities as well as academic work. These will include:  

The initiative to build a new tribunal in Britain in 2000 on psychiatry to follow on from the very successful `Foucault Tribunal`in Berlin in May 1998.  

Initiatives to bring theatre and other forms of mobilisation into the sphere of psychology, to break from the often boring kinds of presentation and activity that characterise the discipline so far. 

The work of the North West Right to Refuse Electroshock Campaign and
other radical challenges to physical abuse in psychiatry.

Information and discussion on support for psychological services in Chiapas alongside the Zapatistas in the Lacandon jungle in Mexico.

Networking to support the work of Psychology Politics Resistance
bringing academic work, professional practice and `research` together.

Information about the Action Research Centre for Education Inclusion
and the struggle to build an all-inclusive education environment.
 

Accommodation is likely to be restricted, and so you should book
early.

To register, either send the following information:
 

along with a cheque payable to 'Bolton Institute` for stlg175 or an authorised purchase order indicating department to be invoiced. Send to: 

Judy Whiting
Faculty of Arts, Science and Education
Bolton Institute
Chadwick Street
Bolton BL2 1JW UK
Telephone: +44 (1204) 903351
Fax: +44 (1204) 903338
Email: J.Whiting@bolton.ac.uk

Information about accommodation will be sent on return of the
registration form.