Dialogue Theories II Book Launch in London

Thu, 19 Jan 2017 18:30 in Discussion Forums

Where: Rockefeller Building, 337 David Sacks, University College London (UCL) Fitzrovia, London WC1E 6DE
Date: 19th January 2016
Time: 18:30

Preview This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Speakers:

Prof Paul Weller, Editor, University of Derby
Charlotte Dando, Author, William Temple Foundation
Frances Sleap, Author, Former Research Fellow at Dialogue Society
Dr Andrew Wilshere, Author, University College London

Abstract

At this event, the editors of Dialogue Theories II and chapter authors 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. Reviewers from different fields will offer their responses to and assessments of the book and 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 an recognised trainer for Belieforama, a community of practice based around the development of a prizewinning training programme in religious diversity and anti-discrimination.

Charlotte Dando (Binns) is a communications professional, writer and equality activist. Charlotte was an active young leader of the interfaith movement in the UK and across Europe for 8 years working with organisations including 3FF and URI. She worked for 2 years as Assistant Director - Communications and Development at William Temple Foundation, a research and ideas hub shaping debate on the role of religion in public life, and continues to support their communications work. Currently she works for the Women’s Equality Party, where she leads on digital communications. Charlotte holds an MA ‘Religions of Asia and Africa’ from SOAS, University of London.

Frances Sleap wrote the first volume of Dialogue Theories with Dr Omer Sener. 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.

Andrew Wilshere completed a PhD in 2013 on the relationship between Emmanuel Levinas’s philosophy and analytic accounts of moral rights. He currently works as a manager in healthcare research at University College London, and as a freelance researcher, writer and designer.