Conference theme
This year the theme is “Making Diversity Interventions Count”.
After enjoying a massive boom in the wake of COVID-19 and the Black Lives Matter movement, the overwhelming support for EDI is suddenly dwindling. Many have attributed this decline to a variety of factors, such as the rise in the notion of ‘woke' culture and anti-wokery sentiments, political extremism, the cost-of-living crises, alongside the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
All these factors have led to a deeply polarised world with a severe undermining of EDI work, with powerful political leaders, business figures and social media influencers insinuating that EDI has lost its relevance. This dangerous rhetoric has led to a severe backlash resulting in organisations either scrapping units or cutting down investments in EDI activities. Experts believe that we have entered a new phase of the fight for the soul of EDI with the world in turmoil.
This moment of crises in the EDI arena presents a rare opportunity for leaders, policy makers, allies, and practitioners to reassess EDI strategies in the wake of the rising backlash.
We also want to use the opportunity of this conference to continue the conversation on the value of arts and culture to promoting peace and social inclusion as Bradford hosts the UK City of Culture festivals in 2025.
Thematic areas
The value of EDI: preserving EDI in times of turbulence
Abstracts seeking to find innovative ways to overcome the current backlash against EDI. This may include:
- Navigating a world on the brink: fighting for the soul of EDI in times of financial crises,
- Reframing EDI initiatives at times of turbulence,
- New and contemporary approaches to sustaining the value of diversity,
- Looking beyond the business case for diversity.
Embracing difference: Moving beyond minimisation and polarisation
Abstracts are invited covering the following areas:
- Embracing difference,
- Social cohesion,
- Creating inclusive cultures,
- Interacting across cultural differences and commonalities.
Wokery: creating the evidence, narratives, and counter-narratives
Abstract are invited exploring different arguments and counter arguments of ‘wokery’ culture.
- What is ‘wokery’ and why is it a divisive concept?
- Narratives and counterarguments of ‘wokery’,
- The balance of Power: who controls the narratives?
- The recent race riots in the UK: causes and implications.
Inclusion through Arts and Culture: Capitalising on the economic and social benefits
Abstract may relate to:
- Arts as a medium for social justice,
- Culture and community cohesion,
- Determining the economic value of cultural investments: why is this relevant to inclusion and social justice?
- The Bradford City of Culture Festivals: Possible benefits and downsides.