Call for Papers: Beauty Demands Workshop 3

The Globalisation of Beauty

University of Birmingham, Department of Philosophy and School of Law

14th -15th October

This workshop focuses on whether a global dominant beauty norm is emerging; one with less cultural variation and less sites of resistance. Some practices suggest this is the case: the increasing popularity of the 'Asian eye lift' (sometimes claimed to be required for employment); the wish for 'golden skin' (shown by the popularity of skin lightening/tanning creams and procedures); and the increasingly global preference for 'thinness' (emerging in countries such as India and Nigeria, where 'ideals' have significantly altered). The implications for regulation of such a norm are considered, as a global norm might suggest global regulation, but there are notable tensions here. Within the EU there is the tension between concern to facilitate the free movement of goods and persons and the wish to maximise public health and use the precautionary principle to manage risk. Globally there is often a notable disparity between the rhetoric of safety and responsible practice and the drive to develop new markets.

Abstracts are sought from current graduate students and from early career researchers for this workshop in any discipline relevant to the topic, including but not exclusively, Philosophy, Psychology, Law, Sociology, Medicine and Gender Studies. Please indicate whether you are submitting as a graduate student or an early career researchers. Please submit abstracts by email using the title “Beauty Demands Workshop 3”. Abstracts should be submitted to Jan Kandiyali by 16 July at 4pm. Abstracts should be between 250 and 500 words, and please note that late abstracts cannot be considered. We will cover economy travel and accommodation costs for UK researchers invited to attend.

Confirmed speakers for this workshop include:

·       Andrew Edgar, 'Professional sport and the marketing of body image'? (Reader in Philosophy, Cardiff University)

·       Alexander Edmonds ‘The globalisation of plastic surgery’ (Professor of Social and Medical Anthropology, University of Edinburgh)

·       Jeanette Edwards,  ‘Beauty as an ethical project’  (Professor of Anthropology, University of Manchester)

·       Rosalind Gill, ‘Aesthetic Entrepreneurship: the politics of beauty in postfeminist and neoliberal times’ (Professor of Cultural and Social Analysis, City University London)

·       Danielle Griffiths and Alexandra Mullock, ‘Cosmetic surgery tourism: Risks and regulation in a global beauty market’(Research Fellow interdisciplinary Bioethics and Law and Lecturer in Law, University of Manchester)

·       Viren Swami, ‘Are we all thin enough yet? The globalisation of the thin ideal and the homogenisation of beauty’ (Reader in Psychology, University of Westminster)

·       Shirley Tate, ‘The performativity of black beauty shame in Jamaica and its diaspora’

(Associate Professor in Sociology and Social Policy, University of Leeds)

Join the Network

We would like to encourage anyone interested in this area to join the BeautyDemands network. Our aim is to promote cross-disciplinary academic engagement in public and policy debate on topical beauty issues. We do this by hosting four workshops, but also by promoting virtual discussion via Twitter (@beautydemands, #beautydemands) and the BeautyDemands blog. To express your interest in joining the network and writing a blog, please contact Jan Kandiyali. 

Please note, while many of those in the network take a particular stand on beauty issues, the network aims to facilitate open and respectful debate and discussion. It aims to welcome those with all views and to encourage exchange of views and does not endorse one single perspective.