CaPitS 2008 – Causality and Probability in the Sciences

8-19 September 2008
CGU4, Gulbenkian Building, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
(J10 on this map)

Introduction

The Causality Study Fortnight has three components:

8-9 September: Introductory lectures

Background to the latest work on causality, at a level suited to graduate students, postdocs and academics:

– Philosophy of causality (Julian Reiss). 1st Slides: , 2nd Slides:

– Causal modelling in the sciences (Kevin Korb). Slides:

– Causal decision theory (James Joyce). Slides:

– Causal cognition (David Lagnado) 1st Slides: , 2nd Slides:

10-12 September: International conference: Causality and probability in the sciences (CaPitS 2008)

Causal inference is perhaps the most important form of reasoning in the sciences. Different disciplines, from epidemiology to biology, from econometrics to physics, make use of probability and statistics in order to infer causal relations. We aim to bring philosophers and scientists together to discuss the relation between causality and probability, and the applications of these concepts within the sciences.

In conjunction with the Conference, we plan to have an edited volume on Causality and Probability in the Sciences.

Invited speakers

Slides

Casini:
Claassens:
Clarke:
Drouet:
Fennell:
Glynn:
Holmes:
Kleinberg:
Korb-Nyberg:
Lagnado-Lemeire:
Leuridan-Weber:

McKay-Williamson:
Moneta:
Mouchart-Russo:
Psillos:
Raidl:
Redei:
Romeijn-Williamson:
Russo:
Russo-Williamson:
vanMiltenburg:
Vineis:
Zwier:

15-19 September: Advanced research seminars

An in-depth exploration of emerging research on causality:

– Causality and the mind (Julia Tanney).
– Causality in the history of philosophy (Ken Westphal). Notes:
– Levels of causality and the interpretation of probability (Federica Russo). 1st Seminar: , 2nd Seminar: , Bhrolchain-Dyson:
– Machine learning and causality (David Corfield & Alex Freitas).
– Mechanisms and causality (Phyllis McKay). 1st Seminar: , 2nd Seminar: , 3rd Seminar:

Participants are encouraged to attend for the whole fortnight, but are very welcome to come for just one or two components.

Timetable

1st May 2008: deadline for submission of titles and abstracts (of max 500 words) of papers for presentation at the conference.
- To be emailed to Federica Russo
- Please say whether you would be prepared to submit your paper to a volume on this topic.
1st June 2008: notification of acceptance of papers for presentation at the conference.
15th June 2008: deadline for speaker confirmation of attendance.
1st July 2008: deadline for submission of full papers for publication
- to be emailed to Federica Russo
15th July 2008: deadline for receipt of early-bird registration to attend the conference.
- Early-bird registration fees: 30 pounds for 1 component, 45 pounds for 2 components, 50 pounds for 3 components.
- Payment can be made by credit card, cheque or bank transfer.
- Register by filling in this form, and posting it (together with cheque if applicable) to
  - Miriam Waters, Causality Study Fortnight Registration, SECL, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NF, UK
- Please make out cheques to UNIKENT, with `Causality study fortnight’ on the reverse side.
- To pay by bank transfer please email Miriam Waters for details.
- Please also send an email to Federica Russo to say that you are registering.
- If registering after 15th July the fees are: 60 pounds for 1 component, 90 pounds for 2 components, 100 pounds for 3 components. Please register by following the above procedure.
8-19th September 2008: Causality study fortnight.
1st November 2008: notification of acceptance of papers for publication.
1st December 2008: deadline for final version of papers accepted for publication.

Further Information

Programme –

Abstracts –

Participants –

Conference dinner: 7.30pm, 10 September, Posillipo, 16 The Borough, Canterbury, £25 per person. Menu:

Local Information

There are many hotels and guest houses within easy reach of the University. Consult Tourist information or Around Canterbury for general tourist information.

Internet access: to get internet access at the university (wireless access is limited), apply at Computing Service Reception (the fee is 10 pounds). Visitors from UK universities may be able to connect via Janet roaming. There is also an internet cafe in Canterbury.

Organisation

This conference is organised by Federica Russo and Jon Williamson as an activity of the Centre for Reasoning at the University of Kent. It is the third event in the Causality in the Sciences series of conferences.