How to govern medical knowledge, converging technologies, and neurological disorders

A conference to be held at the European Parliament, Brussels, May 16, 2012, 9:00 – 15:00

The purpose of this conference is to inform policy makers, representatives of patient organizations, scientists, and relevant stakeholders about the results of HealthGovMatters, a three year FP7 ‘Science in Society’ research project co-financed by the European Commission. The aim is to shed light on the production and governance of medical knowledge and related implications for science, policy, and health care, as well as for patients and their families. The focus will be on new diagnostic, therapeutic, and institutional procedures in the field of neurological disorders – most specifically epilepsy and mitochondrial disease – and associated developments in the field of participatory governance and public awareness activities.  This conference is free and open to the public.Pre-registration is required. Limited travel support may be available.To register or for further information please visit www.healthgovmatters.eu  or e-mail registration@healthgovmatters.eu

Special Issue of Disability Studies Quarterly
“Growing Disability Studies: Academic (Dis)Locations,
(Anti)Disciplinary Positions, and Institutional Collaboration”
Guest Edited by Michelle Jarman and Alison Kafer

This special issue invites essays exploring the most
promising, compelling and even transgressive ways of growing the
field. We see this as a timely and important topic because while
disability studies is expanding in terms of degree programs, courses,
and general recognition, it is still located in isolated or
marginalized spaces in many university settings. Because disability studies has grown out of disability rights and activism, this destabilizing quality seems
integral to the field itself. We welcome contributions addressing
tensions between carving out institutional support and encouraging
transgressive perspectives, methodologies, and research, and in particular
essays that include multiple perspectives from different locations and roles. As examples of possible topics: Strategies for developing and supporting institutional and non-institutional (activist, artistic, community) partnerships to increase visibility and knowledge of the field.; Activist perspectives on the ground: how could the field better partner and promote social and political activism? How could community
activists be better supported by DS scholars in academic environments?

One-page proposals can be sent to Michelle Jarman (mjarman@uwyo.edu)
and Alison Kafer (kafera@southwestern.edu) by May 15, 2012. Full manuscripts from those selected will be due on February 1, 2013.