<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML><HEAD><TITLE></TITLE>
<META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<META content="MSHTML 6.00.6000.16735" name=GENERATOR></HEAD>
<BODY><!-- Converted from text/plain format -->
<P><FONT size=2>Dear all<BR><BR>Please see below for details of a forthcoming
seminar series to be held at the University of Birmingham, UK in Spring/Summer
2009. The series is free to attend and open to all.<BR><BR>Best
wishes<BR>Helen<BR></FONT></P><FONT size=2>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Seminar
Series – <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType> of <st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Birmingham</st1:PlaceName></st1:place>, Spring/Summer
2009<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"
/><o:p></o:p></SPAN></I></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma">Gender
and Sexuality: The Discursive Limits of ‘Equality’ in Higher
Education<o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><o:p><FONT size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond">Funded by the <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType> of <st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Birmingham</st1:PlaceName></st1:place> Deans’ Funding
Initiative<o:p></o:p></SPAN></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond"><FONT size=3>This seminar series investigates a
number of areas of concern, regarding gender and sexuality, which are
identifiable in the current British higher education environment. The series
explores how current dominant ‘neoliberal’ discourses, which emphasise the
commodification of higher education in the <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">UK</st1:place></st1:country-region>, function to
set limits upon ‘equality’. Ironically, while these discourses often suggest a
widening of opportunities within higher education with an emphasis upon
unlimited individual freedom and choice, the lived experience can be rather
different for women and sexual minorities. The seminar series will explore the
impact such discourses are having upon gender and sexuality identities and
practices in the academy. The aims of the seminar series
are:<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond"><o:p><FONT size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<UL style="MARGIN-TOP: 0cm" type=disc>
<LI class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond"><FONT size=3>To identify the characteristics of
neoliberal discourse and its influence in the <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region></st1:place>
academy<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond"><FONT size=3>To identify effects which impact on
women, sexual minorities and gender/sexuality scholarship
<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond"><FONT size=3>To examine effects of on
constituencies of scholars who are marginalised by neoliberal
discourse<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond"><FONT size=3>To examine patterns of fiscal loss
or reward as a result of neoliberal strategies of HEI management and
planning<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></LI></UL>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond"><FONT size=3>There will be an Introductory session
followed by three seminars in the series. Each seminar will consist of a
presentation by a keynote speaker followed by a structured discussion between
the keynote speaker and 2 or 3 discussants. There will be time for general open
discussion and opportunities for participants to talk informally.
<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond"><o:p><FONT size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Garamond"><FONT size=3>Details of the Introductory session
and the three subsequent seminars are included
below:<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 6pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><FONT size=3>Friday
23<SUP>rd</SUP> January 2009 10.00-12.00 (Selly Oak
campus)<o:p></o:p></FONT></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 6pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt">Dr Liz Morrish and Dr Helen
Sauntson<o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><FONT size=3>Introduction
to Neoliberalism<o:p></o:p></FONT></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><FONT
size=3>This session introduces key themes and concepts in neoliberalism which
are developed in the following three seminars in the series. We specifically
focus on those areas of neoliberal theory and practice which have relevance to
issues around gender, sexuality and education. This session is open to those who
wish to learn more about neoliberalism before attending the rest of the series.
</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 6pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><FONT size=3>Friday
20<SUP>th</SUP> February 2009 10.00-12.00 (Selly Oak
campus)<o:p></o:p></FONT></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 6pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt">Professor Mary Evans, <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType> of <st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Kent</st1:PlaceName></st1:place><o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">For Us or
Against Us: Coercion and Consensus in Higher
Education<o:p></o:p></SPAN></I></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></I></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><FONT
size=3>In debates about the admissions of state school pupils to Oxbridge those
defending Oxbridge have challenged the idea that universities should be 'engines
of social change'. At the same time Oxbridge, and other universities have
accepted the responsibility of 'enabling' entrepreneurship and other market led
initiatives. I want to explore some of the implications of this position in
terms of the 'making' of the person in higher education and in particular the
ways in which conservative refusals of radical gender and class change
re-inforce structural inequalities.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 6pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><FONT size=3>Friday
6<SUP>th</SUP> March 10.00-12.00 (Edgbaston campus)<o:p></o:p></FONT></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt">Richard Johnson, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Nottingham</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Trent</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceName></st1:place><o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><SPAN
style="BACKGROUND: aqua; mso-highlight: aqua"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><FONT size=3>Title and abstract
TBA<o:p></o:p></FONT></I></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 6pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><FONT size=3>Friday
8<SUP>th</SUP> May 2009 10.00-12.00 (Selly Oak campus)<o:p></o:p></FONT></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 6pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt">Dr Joyce Canaan, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Birmingham</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">City</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType></st1:place><o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt">Resisting the
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Neoliberal</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>: Discursive and
Practice-based Strategies<o:p></o:p></SPAN></I></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"
align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></I></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB"><FONT size=3>Many of us working in UK
universities (as in others) increasingly find and feel ourselves stymied,
depleted and oppressed (if not depressed) by the seeming inevitability<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>and expansion of neoliberal
discourses and practices that require us to demonstrate endless productivity and
continuous improvement of teaching, research and administrative capacities that
derail our efforts to engage as fully as possible with at least teaching and
research.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>this context some 'academic' or 'scholar
activists' are beginning to develop critiques that articulate how neoliberalism
profoundly harms academics, students,<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>HE institutions and the capacity for critical thinking about and
egalitarian transformation of the world-sorely needed in the current climate of
economic and ecological crisis. Some of these academic/scholar activists are
beginning to create counter-discourses and practices.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This paper, based on interviews with
academic/scholar activists, explores these activists' efforts to critique and
implement progressive alternatives within, beyond and against the neoliberal
university. The paper aims to encourage others to work with these and other
activist/scholar academics to help create a more humane, dignified and enabling
Higher Education system in future. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB">Further
information about venues will be circulated nearer the time. Information about
travelling to the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType> of <st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Birmingham</st1:PlaceName></st1:place> can be found at <A
href="http://www.about.bham.ac.uk/maps/sellyoak.shtml"><FONT
color=#800080>http://www.about.bham.ac.uk/maps/sellyoak.shtml</FONT></A> (Selly
Oak campus) and <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><A
href="http://www.about.bham.ac.uk/maps/edgbaston.shtml"><FONT
color=#800080>http://www.about.bham.ac.uk/maps/edgbaston.shtml</FONT></A>
(Edgbaston campus). On the Edgbaston map, the <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">School</st1:PlaceType> of <st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Education</st1:PlaceName></st1:place> is building R19 in the red
zone.</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB">
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB">For
further information, please contact Helen Sauntson (<A
href="mailto:h.v.sauntson@bham.ac.uk">h.v.sauntson@bham.ac.uk</A>).<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial></FONT><BR><BR>____________________________<BR>Dr Helen
Sauntson<BR>School of Education<BR>The University of Birmingham<BR>Weoley Park
Road<BR>Selly Oak<BR>Birmingham, B29
6LL<BR>____________________________<BR></P></FONT></BODY></HTML>