CALL FOR PAPERS
Historical analyses tell us that statistics as mathematical specialty and governmental practice evolved in interaction with the emergence of the modern state. These analyses take us to about the 1970’s. Since then, we have seen: an explosion in computer power; a swing away from government planning and towards submission to the “invisible hand” of the market; and the erection of “firewalls” (however leaky) around our personal data.
We invite contributions addressing how those changes, and others, may be affecting the practices of public statistics; which impacts they may have on the gathering, storing, sorting, classifying, analyzing, and deploying statistics, and thereby on practices of governance and on the lives of citizens. We especially welcome contributions related to our own five fields of investigation:
- Classification of populations into contested categories, e.g. race.
- Criminal justice databases and statistics practices.
- Health databases and statistics-based diagnostics.
- Statistics in municipal governance.
- Analysis of algorithms found in the four above-listed areas.
Abstract submission (300 words) and registration available via our website.
Abstract submission deadline: 19 Feb 2007
Registration deadline: 19 Mar 2007
We look forward to hearing from you!
On behalf of the “For Whom the Bell Curves” research team,
Ann Rudinow Sætnan
E-mail: annrs@svt.ntnu.no / Ph.: +47 735 91786
WORKSHOP
Statistics as a
boundary object between science and the state
In connection with the project “For Whom the Bell Curves” we will be holding an international workshop/conference in Trondheim, Norway, 14-16 May 2007.
The workshop will be open to a limited number (max 100) of senior and junior academics. PhD students who participate and present a paper will also be able to receive course credit.
Keynote and plenary speakers:
- Alain Desrosières, Centre Alexandre Koyré d'histoire des
sciences (EHESS, Paris)
- Susan Leigh Star, Santa Clara University
- Jean-Guy Prévost, Univeristy of Quebec at Montreal
- Simon Cole, University of California, San Diego
- Jonathan Kahn, University of Minnesota
- Karen-Sue Taussig, University of Minnesota
- Ann Rudinow Sætnan, NTNU
The language of the workshop will be English. We will allow students to present papers written in French or in Scandinavian languages, but we request that the oral presentations be in English.
Registration fee: NOK 565 (appx. €67)*
After 19 Mar 07: NOK 665 (appx. €78)
Conference dinner at Munkholmen: NOK 370 (appx. €45)
*Fee includes participation and coffee break snacks. Information about speakers and practical information on programme, conference dinner (not included in fee), accommodation and travel can be found at our website:
http://www.svt.ntnu.no/iss/projects/bell/workshop.htm