Dr Edward Kanterian, Senior Lecturer in Department of Philosophy, will be giving an invited talk at a workshop entitled ‘Fallibilismus und Gewissheit ‘ [‘Fallibilism and Uncertainty’], at the Technische Universität Darmstadt [Darmstadt University of Technology], Germany, on 23 March 2018.

In his paper, entitled ‘Neue Perspektiven zu Wittgensteins Bemerkungen’ [‘New perspectives to Wittgenstein’s observations’], Edward will argue that the traditional epistemological distinction between indubitable (certain) and dubitable propositions needs to be refined in the light of Wittgenstein‘s last reflections on the relation between our mental states and our behaviour. He will show, there is a third category of propositions, i.e. about other minds, which are not indubitable, but also not dubitable in the sense that one can never ‘really’ know what another person feels, thinks etc.

For more details of the event, please see event page here.

Skepsi, a postgraduate-run journal within the School of European Culture and Languages (SECL), are organising an interdisciplinary conference entitled ‘Wandering and Home’, to be held on 25 May 2018. The editors are currently seeking 300-abstract proposals for presentations at the event.

The conference aims to highlight both the binary opposition between the concepts of ‘wandering’ and ‘home’ and the possible interrelations between them.

Many different types of homes and houses can be found in literature: the ‘gothic’ homes depicted in Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights and Edgar Allan Poe’s Fall of the House of Usher, the country homes of late-Georgian England that feature in Jane Austen’s novels, and the stifling atmosphere of the late-Victorian and Edwardian upper middle-class London homes of John Galsworthy’s The Forsyth Saga. Their role, in the history of literature, of symbolising family values, social status and the complex web of family relationships is clearly one of great importance.

But wandering is not just a physical activity; there is also mind-wandering, a metaphorical form of wandering taking place in that most intimate and homely dimension of personal space — the human mind. Modernist literature’s stream of consciousness writing functions as the means of exploring these wanderings of the mind that, by opening up multiple perspectives of literary texts, results in a wider understanding of mankind and its character.

For a suggested list to topics, please see the page here.

The conference is open to all disciplines within the Humanities as well as Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, Sociology, Politics, Architecture and Visual Arts. Papers coming from an inter-, trans- or multidisciplinary background are particularly welcomed.

Papers should last for 20 minutes and will be followed by a 10-minute discussion.

Abstracts of approx. 300 words should be sent as Word documents to the conference organising committee at skepsi@kent.ac.uk by 31 March 2018. The email should also include the name of the author, institutional affiliation and brief autobiographical details. Please also indicate any audio-visual requirements that you may have.

For further details about Skepsi, please see the page here: http://blogs.kent.ac.uk/skepsi/

A major report by the University of Kent’s Dr Adrian Pabst challenges existing thoughts on the benefits of freedom of movement and provides a different perspective – one focused on the common good and how it is placed at the heart of society.

Dr Pabst, Reader in Politics in the School of Politics and International Relations, says Brexit has raised many questions about what is going to happen regarding free movement.

The free movement of people and capital is considered fundamental to the global economy, but it has also led to widespread feelings of economic and cultural insecurity. Attempts to address this often rely on ideas about the freedom of choice for the individual or economic utility – the benefits or costs for the majority.

Dr Pabst’s report, ‘Democracy and the Common Good: A Common Good Approach to Free Movement of People and Capital’, published by St Paul’s Institute, seeks to advance an alternative approach.

It advocates addressing existing anxieties and providing a source of fresh policy ideas, adding to the ongoing work of communities, faith groups and others that mediate between the individual and the state.

The report features a foreword by Rachel Reeves MP who chairs the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Select Committee. She says that it is right that this report focuses on skills, investment and the need for closer consideration of communities in the everyday economy.

Dr Pabst’s report will be launched as part of a public debate entitled Democracy and the Common Good: What do we Value? at St Paul’s Cathedral on Monday 19 March from 18.45 until 20.30.

Sign up to attend this event here.

The report can be viewed here.

Vince Muntag is a Hungarian student doing an MA in Drama by research at Kent. His desire to pursue postgraduate research at Kent was such that he crowdfunded the money to provide a personal helper to support him at during his degree. He is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about theatre and aims to make it accessible to everyone.

Vince will be talking about theatre, activism and cultural differences in attitudes to disability and inclusion between Hungary and the United Kingdom.

FREE to attend – all are welcome.

Monday 26 March at 13:10–14:00

Jennison Lecture Theatre, Canterbury Campus

Short video about Vince’s crowdfunding.

If you have never had the opportunity to visit Liberty Quays, the University of Kent accommodation for Medway campus students, here’s your chance.

Kent Hospitality are hosting an open afternoon for Medway staff on Thursday 22 March from 12.00 – 14.00 to view a student flat and see what facilities are available on site.

We’ll be there to answer any questions you have, plus there will be cakes and coffee on offer at Liberty Quays.

While down at the accommodation site, you are more than welcome to visit Cargo, our Bar and Bistro, for soft drinks and savoury snacks. It is also a great opportunity to speak to our Food and Beverage Manager about how we can help with school and departmental events and the services we provide.

Register for the event now online and if there is strong demand from our registered attendees, we will also be providing transport between the Dockyards and Pembroke Campus to and from Liberty Quays.

Please note registration closes on Tuesday 20 March.

For further information please visit the registration page or contact: conferences@kent.ac.uk

Dr Bike returns to Medway campus Tuesday 20 March 2018. Find Dr Bike outside the Student Hub 11.30-14.30 for your free bike check up.

Dr Bike’s services are available to University of Kent and University of Greenwich students and staff. The Dr Bike service is provided by Chris and his team at ByCycle, working with the Transport Team, Estates department.

Additional work will be quoted individually but will always be at a special University of Kent reduced rate.

For more information visit our web page.