Global scholars at Bradford for conference
A major global conference will be held at the University of Bradford later this year.
The annual conference of the Human Development and Capability Association (HDCA), with the theme of ‘Culture, Peace of Capabilities’, will be held on-campus from September 1 to 5.
It is a chance for scholars and practitioners interested in human progress to share insights into human development and learn from each other to help promote justice, equality, human rights and inclusion.
It was founded by Nobel Laureate Professor Amartya Sen and University of Chicago philosopher Professor Martha Nussbaum in 2004. Previous events have been held in Pavia, Italy; Antwerp, Belgium, and Kolkata, India.
A formal contract for the conference was signed by Professor Shirley Congdon, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bradford, and Professor Enrica Chiappero-Martinetti, HDCA President.
Professor Congdon said: “This will be an important part of our year-long set of activities as part of the City of Culture.
“The University of Bradford's success as the number one University for social mobility resonates very well with the core themes and ideas of human development, capabilities and flourishing.
“We are looking forward to welcoming this global community of scholars to come to Bradford, share their insights but also experience a bit of Bradford during their time here."
Professor Prathivadi Anand, Professor of Public Policy and Sustainable Development and conference organiser, said: "We are thrilled to have been selected to host this prestigious conference.
I cannot wait to see some of the sharpest minds who have dedicated their academic careers to examining issues of equality, human flourishing and influencing policy through their research will be coming to Bradford to share their insights
“We are hoping to welcome colleagues from the Human Development Report Office of the United Nations Development Programme to have one of their launch activities of the global Human Development Report 2025 from Bradford."
Professor Karina Croucher, leading the University's Culture and Identity Research, said: "I like the fact that the human development and capability approach community are from very many disciplines.
“We value multi-disciplinarity in this University and over 200 of academic colleagues from different disciplines have been exchanging ideas as part of the City of Culture. The HDCA conference will further enhance this."
Dr Fiona Cosson, Head of School of Social Sciences at the University, said: "I am delighted to see that the core team organising this conference include both senior academics and early career researchers from across disciplines and subject areas - a true example of the team ethos of our School."