Venue: Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations, Coventry University, George Elliott Building, Room GE231/2, Priory Street, Coventry CV1 5FB
Date: Wednesday, 18th October 2017
Time: 17:00-19:00

Speakers

• Prof Paul Weller, Editor, University of Coventry, Derby and Oxford
• Frances Sleap, Author, Former Research Fellow at Dialogue Society

Abstract

At this event, the editors of Dialogue Theories II and a chapter author will be giving an overview of the book, sharing some insights from their research into diverse dialogue theorists, and commenting on their hopes for the further development of academic exploration of dialogue. There will be time for questions and comments from the floor.

Dialogue Theories II aims further advances the theoretical and practical engagement with dialogue by introducing an additional fifteen individuals who have made important and insightful contributions to thought in this area. Distinguished authors from a range of professional backgrounds in academia and dialogue practice present thinkers whose work they know intimately. The book is intended to inform and inspire anyone with an interest in the meaning and value of dialogue. Dialogue Theories II is a companion volume to the Dialogue Theories book published in 2013, which presented ten other thinkers, both of which complement the regularly published Journal of Dialogue Studies.

The thinkers presented in the book come from diverse fields ranging from philosophy to family therapy and from sociology to music. In the contexts of intractable conflict, bitter political polarisation and complex economic and ecological crises, ‘dialogue’ is often raised as an alternative or as part of a solution. From Bakhtin, Barenboim, The Circle of Seven to Freire, Gadamer, Goffman, and Ikeda, the thinkers introduced here delve deeply into what dialogue is and what it might be capable of.

Biographies

Paul Weller is a Professor in the Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations at Coventry University; a Research Fellow in Religion and Society at Regent's Park College, University of Oxford; and an Emeritus Professor at the University of Derby. He is also Director of Religion and Belief Research and Training Ltd. He is Academic Editor of the Journal of Dialogue Studies and a member of the Advisory Board of the Dialogue Society. He is he is a Trustee of the Multi-Faith Centre at the University of Derby and of the Interreligiöse Arbeitsstelle in Germany and is a member of the Baptist Union of Great Britain’s Inter-Faith Working Group. On a European level, he has been a consultant to and is a recognised trainer for Belieforama, a community of practice based around the development of a prizewinning training programme in religious diversity and anti-discrimination.

Frances Sleap was one of the co-authors of the first volume of Dialogue Theories. She studied Philosophy and Theology at the University of Oxford, graduating with first class honours, before exploring different religions in a master’s degree in the Study of Religions. She then worked at the Dialogue Society for over four years, contributing to projects including the Dialogue Society Success School for young people, various community and academic publications and the Dialogue School for students following the MA in Dialogue Studies at Keele University. She is now a teacher of Philosophy, Theology, and Ethics at a London sixth form. She retains a keen interest in dialogue and the Society’s work and continues as an assistant editor of the Journal of Dialogue Studies.