On March 22nd-24th 2017 UCSIA organizes the academic workshop
‘Epidemics in a Globalized World. Multidisciplinary Perspectives’.
The workshop addresses the topic of combatting epidemics as a case in point to engage in the wider debate of health security versus right to basic health within a global context.
It starts from the following questioning addressed in the opening session:
- What is the life cycle of an epidemic? How and why does it erupt?
- How do policy makers and media react?
- What effect does this have on the public and aid assistance?
- How may panic be avoided and intervention made more efficient?
- What lessons have we learnt from recent epidemics?
- What strategies does this call for? What code of conduct is required?
The reflection is further developed in the ensuing two day workshop where senior and junior scholars from various disciplines such as medicine and epidemiology, communication and media, law and governance, ecology and economy, migration research, …. will discuss, on the basis of their research, the critical factors for a future global strategy and the implications for further academic investigation.
Four core themes are put on the agenda:
- impact of globalisation (increased mobility and communication)
- medical implications (from crisis intervention to prevention and investment in basic health)
- policy implications (global governance)
- new avenues for the academic agenda
Paper proposals are invited to contribute to the understanding of:
- what transitions impact on the propagation of infectuous diseases due to globalisation
- what role religious beliefs, political ideology, perception and media play in tackling epidemics
- how to situate the epidemics approach against the backdrop of a ‘culture of fear’ (Frank Furedi) or ‘risk society’ (Ulrich Beck)
- how to weigh ‘health security’ versus the ‘right to health’
- how to avoid unjust measures (migration restraint, imposed care) sprouting forth from a risk-based management approach
- what form of ‘global governance’ is required (international institutions, financial transfers, insurance, …)
- the advantages of prevention and basic health provision and who or what decides these choices
- the implications for formation and research (strengthening interdisciplinary approach and understanding of the global context)
Confirmed guest lecturers:
- Roy Anderson, Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London & Director, Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (UK)
- Manuel Carballo, Executive Director, International Centre for Migration Health and Development
- Heidi Larson, anthropologist, London School of Health and Tropical Medicine (UK)
- Barbara Kerstiëns, Health Directorate of the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, European Commission
- Rebecca Martin, Director, Center for Global Health, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (USA)
- Simon Rushton, Dept. of Politics, University of Sheffield (UK)
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The workshop consists of a two-day international meeting with specialized lectures and presentations and debates by invited senior and junior scholars. The aim is to offer a platform to scholars to present their research on the topic and exchange their ideas on research findings. Such a meeting may open up new multidisciplinary horizons to think about the topic. Presentations can summarize empirical research outcomes, but also conceptual or methodological contributions from various disciplines are welcomed for submission.
Researchers, doctoral students and other experts are welcome to submit their application until 15 November 2016. Full details on www.ucsia.org.
