Debating Multiculturalism, Panel Discussion 2 - The End of Multiculturalism? A Riposte

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 17:15 in Discussion Forums

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Where: University of Oxford, Oxford Centre for Christianity and Culture, Regent's Park College, Pusey St, OX1 2LB
Date: 27th February 2013
Time: 17:15

Speakers:

Prof Paul Weller, University of Derby
Dr Ed Turner, Deputy Leader of the Council, Aston University
Dr Ben Pitcher, Westminster University

Abstract

This event is the second discussion in the ‘Debating Multiculturalism’ panel discussion series. Four discussions led by prominent academics and practitioners will explore and evaluate multiculturalism as an ideology and political project. Should multiculturalism be jettisoned for failing to guard against social fragmentation and extremism? Or is it the only path to a truly inclusive and harmonious society? The series will look at criticisms of multiculturalism along with the case for it, considering its place in the future of the United Kingdom.

In this discussion principal speaker Prof Paul Weller will dispute the claim that multiculturalism has failed and should be abandoned. Along with three additional expert speakers and other guests, he will be addressing the following questions:

Does the ‘state multiculturalism’ criticized by David Cameron bear responsibility for instances of social fragmentation and extremism?
Is multiculturalism compatible with social cohesion?
What would be gained, and lost, by abandoning multiculturalism?
How could multiculturalism be developed to address the main criticisms of it?

Biography of Prof Paul Weller

Prof Paul Weller (Cert Ed, MA, MPhil, PhD, DLitt) is Professor of Inter-Religious Relations at the University of Derby and Head of Research and Commercial Development in its Faculty of Education, Health and Sciences; Visiting Fellow in the Oxford Centre for Christianity and Culture at Regent’s Park College, University of Oxford; and a Trustee of the Multi-Faith Centre at the University of Derby. His current research interests involve issues in the relationships between religion, state and society, and religion or belief, discrimination and equal opportunities, in relation to which he is heading up a national research project within the Religion and Society Research Programme on "Religion and Belief, Discrimination and Equality in England and Wales: Theory, Policy and Practice (2000-2010):" (see http://www.derby.ac.uk/religion-and-society).

His recent publications include:

Time for a Change: Reconfiguring Religion, State and Society ( London: T. & T. Clark, 2005)
Religious Diversity in the UK: Contours and Issues (London: Continuum, 2008)
A Mirror for our Times: 'The Rushdie Affair and the Future of Multiculturalism (London: Continuum, 2009)
He has previously also published on "Fethullah Gülen, Religions, Globalisation and Dialogue", in R. Hunt and Y. Aslandoğan (eds.), Muslim Citizens of the Globalized World: Contributions of the Gülen Movement (Somerset, NJ: The Light Inc. and IID Press, 2006).

Biography of Dr Ed Turner

Dr Ed Turner is Lecturer in Politics at Aston University in Birmingham and is Deputy Leader of Oxford City Council (a role he has held since 2008). Ed’s main academic interests are in the fields of decentralisation and public policy, and also political parties: he is the author of Political Parties and Public Policy in the German Länder: When Parties Matter (Palgrave Macmillan, 2011), recently held a research grant from the German Academic Exchange Service to study Christian Democracy, and is currently pursuing a project, also funded by the German Academic Exchange Service, on the changing face of German federalism. In political life, Ed particularly focuses on housing and planning policy, and is currently the representative of English local authorities on the Technical Housing Standards Review being run by the government. Ed is also a referee in semi-professional football.

Biography of Dr Ben Pitcher

Dr Ben Pitcher is Senior Lecturer in Sociology at the University of Westminster. He is author of The Politics of Multiculturalism (Palgrave Macmillan, 2009), a key text in the contemporary sociology of race and racism. Ben has published extensively on the subjects of race and racism, and is currently working on a new book, Consuming Race (Routledge, 2014) which demonstrates the centrality of race to contemporary culture, exploring the racial meanings of a diverse range of cultural practices, objects and sites not ordinarily understood in racial terms.