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 Gideon Calder 


  • Gideon CalderName : Gideon Calder

  • Job Title : Reader in Ethics and Social Philosophy; Academic Leader, Inter-Professional Practice (Acting)

  • Email : gideon.calder@newport.ac.uk

  • Contact Telephone Number : +44 (0)1633 432628

  • Campus : Caerleon

  • Academic Faculty and School or Department : Education and Social Sciences

  • Biography : Before coming to the University of Wales, Newport, Gideon Calder taught at Cardiff University, Edge Hill University, UWIC, and for the Open University in Wales and Ireland. After PhD research on the philosophy of Richard Rorty, his interests have expanded to include a wide range of applications of contemporary ethical, political and social theory.  He is particularly interested in the relationship between theoretical debates and ‘real life’ social practice, within professions and institutions, and also more broadly across contemporary society. The author or editor of seven books, as well as many journal articles, book chapters and pieces for the media on various themes.  In 2010 he helped set up the Newport Equality Group, a broad-based organisation committed to campaigning for greater awareness of the social costs of increasing income inequality.

  • Academic and Professional Qualifications :
    • PhD (Cardiff University) 2002.  MA Political Philosophy: The Idea of Toleration (University of York) 1993.  BA (Hons) Philosophy & Politics (University of York) 1992.

  • Professional Bodies and Memberships :
    • UK Association for Legal and Social Philosophy (President)
    • Society for Applied Philosophy
    • Political Studies Association

  • Research Expertise or Interest : Political philosophy; applied and professional ethics; social justice; equality; democracy; environmentalism; diversity; disability; the family.

  • Grants Awarded :
    • European Commission 7th Framework Programme (c. €1.5million to Consortium): 'Project RESPECT: Towards a "Topography" of Tolerance and Respect'. Comparative study of policies for the distribution of public spaces in culturally diverse societies - partnership between the University of Wales, Newport and the universities of Pavia (lead institution), Copenhagen, West Bohemia (Pilsen), Zapadoceska, Rennes I, Darmstadt, Ljubjana, Eastern Piedmont (Vercelli), Ural State, Cyprus, European Humanities (Vilnius), Tel-Aviv, Peking and Central European (Budapest). http://respect.iusspavia.it/#
    • European Commission 6th Framework Programme (c. €1 million to Consortium): 'Project EuroEthos: Exploring the Foundations of a Shared European Pluralistic Ethos'. Comparative investigation of religious and secular ethical values in an enlarging Europe - partnership between the University of Wales, Newport and the universities of Trento (lead institution), Bremen, Bilkent (Ankara), Comenius (Bratislava), Valencia and West Bohemia (Pilsen). http://euroethos.lett.unitn.it/
    • Arts & Humanities Research Council/ Economic and Social Research Council (£30,000) 'Religion, Justice and Well-Being'. Five workshops around the UK and Ireland, involving academics and practitioners, in collaboration with the universities of Central Lancashire, Queen's (Belfast), Trinity (Dublin) and Royal Holloway (London). http://religionjusticewellbeing.wordpress.com/
    • Arts & Humanities Research Council (£9652) 'Toleration and the Public Sphere'. Five workshops around the UK, involving academics and practitioners, in collaboration with the universities of Stirling, Queen's (Belfast), Central Lancashire and Royal Holloway (London).

  • Research Supervision :
    • 3 PhD students supervised to successful submission since 2004
    • 2 current PhD students
    • Research Degree Examiner Appointments :
      MPhil (University of Wales, Trinity St David) 2011
    • MA Applied Ethics (University of Brighton) 2011-
    • MA Political Communication, Advocacy and Campaigning (Kingston University) 2009-
    • PhD (Queen’s University Belfast) 2008
    • MA in Ethics and Criminal Justice (Keele University) 2005-8
    • MA in Ethics of Social Welfare (Keele University) 2004-8

  • Publications :

             Books:
    • Forthcoming 2012:   (Co-edited with Jeremy Gass and Kirsten Merrill-Glover), Changing Directions of the British Welfare State  (University of Wales Press)
    • 2011:   (Co-edited with Catriona McKinnon), Climate Change and Liberal Priorities (Routledge)
    • 2011     (Co-edited with Emanuela Ceva), Diversity in Europe: Dilemmas of Differential Treatment in Theory and Practice (Routledge)
    • 2009     (Co-edited with Phillip Cole and Jonathan Seglow), Citizenship Acquisition and National Belonging: Migration, Membership and the Liberal Democratic State (Palgrave, 2009)
    • 2007     Rorty’s Politics of Redescription (University of Wales Press)

      Refereed journal articles
    • Forthcoming:   ‘Inclusion and Participation: Working with the Tensions’, Studies in Social Justice.
    • 2011: ‘Opportunities and Risks in Gauging Practitioners’ Ethical Commitments: Commentary on Little et al’, Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, vol. 17, no. 5, pp. 954-56.
    • 2011:  ‘Climate Change and Normativity: Constructivism versus Realism’, Critical Review of International Social and Political Philosophy, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 153-170.
    • 2010:   ‘Pragmatism, Critical Theory and Democratic Inclusion’, Etica & Politica, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 52-67.
    • 2010:   ‘Listening, Democracy and the Environment’, In-Spire Journal of Law, Politics and Societies, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 26-41.
    • 2009:   ‘Mobility, Inclusion and the Green Case for Basic Income’, Basic Income Studies, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 1-10.
    • 2009:  (co-written with Emanuela Ceva), ‘Values, Diversity and the Justification of E. U. Institutions’, Political Studies, vol, 57, no. 4, pp. 828-845.
    • 2008:  ‘Ethics and Social Ontology’, Analyse & Kritik, vol. 30, no. 2, pp. 427-443.
    • 2008:   ‘How Can the Past be Wronged? The “Holocaust Industry” and Moral Capital’, Bulletin of Tomsk State University: Philosophy, Sociology, Political Science, vol. 26, no. 2.
    • 2007:  (co-written with Edmund Dain) ‘Not Cricket? Ethics and Sporting Boycotts’, Journal of Applied Philosophy, vol. 24, no. 1.
    • 2006:   ‘Ownership Rights and the Body’, Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 89-100.
    • 2006:  'Soft Universalisms: Beyond Young and Rorty on Difference', Critical Review of International Social and Political Philosophy, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 3-21.

      Other articles/chapters in books:
    • Forthcoming:   ‘Geras on Context and Indifference’, in Eve Garrard and Stephen de Wijze (eds) Thinking Towards Humanity: Essays in Honour of Norman Geras  (Manchester University Press).
    • 2011: 'Social Mobility Doesn't Equal Social Justice', Bevan Foundation Review, no. 17.
    • 2011:  ‘Disability and Misrecognition’, in Simon Thompson and Majid Yar (eds), The Politics of Misrecognition (Ashgate).
    • 2011:  ‘Democracy and Listening’, in Mary-Ann Crumplin (ed.), Problems of Democracy: Language and Speaking (Oxford: Inter-Disciplinary Press).
    • 2010:  (Co-written with Steven R. Smith) ‘Differential Treatment and Employability: A UK Case-Study of Veil-Wearing in Schools’, in Calder and Ceva (eds), Diversity in Europe (Routledge)
    • 2009:  (Co-written with Jonathan Seglow) ‘Practice and Policy’, in Gideon Calder, Phillip Cole and Jonathan Seglow (eds), Citizenship Acquisition and National Belonging: Migration, Membership and the Liberal Democratic State (Palgrave).
    • 2009:  ‘Values and Ontology: An Interview with Andrew Collier, Part 2’, Journal of Critical Realism, vol. 8, no. 1.
    • 2008:  ‘Philosophy and Politics: An Interview with Andrew Collier, Part 1’, Journal of Critical Realism, vol. 7, no. 2.
    • 2007:  ‘Theory, Practice and ”Teaching” Professional Ethics’, in Steven R. Smith (ed.), Applying Theory to Policy and Practice (Ashgate).
    • 2006:  ‘Where Do We Go From Here? ‘, Planet: The Welsh Internationalist, July.

      Dictionary and encyclopedia entries:
    • 2007:  Entries on ‘Ethics’, ‘Philosophical Anthropology’ and ‘Sociology of the Body’, in Mervyn Hartwig (ed.), Dictionary of Critical Realism (Routledge).
    • 2006:  Entries on ‘Nature’ and ‘Realism’, Martin Cohen (ed.), Essentials of Philosophy and Ethics (Hodder Education).

      Selected reviews:
    • 2010:  Review of Alasdair MacIntyre’s Engagement with Marxism: Selected Writings 1953-1974, ed. Paul Blackledge and Neil Davidson, Marx and Philosophy Review of Books (November).
    • 2010:  Review of Character and Environment by Ronald L. Sandler, Ethical Theory and Moral Practice, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 233-4.
    • 2009:  Review of Law and the Beautiful Soul by Alan Norrie, Criminal Law and Philosophy vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 317-20.
    • 2007:  Review of The Moral Significance of Class by Andrew Sayer, Imprints: Egalitarian Theory and Practice, vol. 9, no. 3.

  • Public Engagement Activities and Esteem Indicators :
  • President, UK Association for Legal and Social Philosophy
  • Regular contributor to BBC Radio on current affairs (including Good Morning Wales, Four Corners.
  • Co-founder, Newport Equality Group http://www.equalitynewport.org.uk/
  • Trustee, Bevan Foundation: The Social Justice Thinktank for Wales http://www.bevanfoundation.org/
  • Member, Editorial Board, Ethics and Social Welfare http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/resw
  • Member, Editorial Board, Journal of Critical Realism http://www.equinoxpub.com/JCR
  • 2005-11:  Co-editor, Res Publica: A Journal of Moral, Legal and Social Philosophy - www.editorialmanager.com/resp
  • I have also acted as an anonymous reviewer for the following journals: Political Theory, History of the Human Sciences; Environmental Politics; Critical Research in International Social and Political Philosophy; Historical Materialism; International Studies Quarterly; Journal of Applied Philosophy; Journal of Medical Ethics; Healthcare Analysis; Journal of Moral Philosophy; Imprints: Egalitarian Theory and Practice; Political Studies; Political Studies Review; Tourism, Culture & Communication; Metaphilosophy.

 Research Group(s)
Centre for Critical Social Studies (CCSS)
Linking research groups across the University, CCSS provides a focus for philosophical/theoretical debates, and empirical research applied to government and institutional policy, and to state/voluntary sector professions and organisations.
Social Ethics Research Group (SERG)
The Newport Social Ethics Research Centre combines research and teaching in a range of fields in the social domain, with special emphasis on political, social and ethical theory – and on the points of intersection between these areas.

 Current Research Students
Selina O'Doherty
Director of Studies: Dr Gideon Calder - Title: Do The Predicted Environmental Harms Affecting Future Generations' Human Security Warrant Pre-Emptive Intervention?
Mark Reardon
Director of Studies: Dr Gideon Calder - Title: The Ethics of Animal Advocacy
Gillian Smith
Director of Study: Dr Gideon Calder - Title: Reflective Practice: The Applied Philosopher and Professional Ethics

 Latest News
Changing Directions of the British Welfare State
19 November 2012 - Changing Directions of the British Welfare State is a unique and timely survey of the evolving priorities of the British welfare state. Edited by Gideon Calder, Jeremy Gass and Kirsten Merrill-Glover.
Gideon Calder is giving a paper at the University of Kent
25 October 2012 - Dr Gideon Calder is giving a paper on 25 October at the University of Kent Social Sciences Research Seminar, entitled 'What and whom are we talking about, when we talk about ethical "expertise"?'.
Evidence-Based Practice and Policy Workshop
17 October 2012 - Dr Gideon Calder and Gillian Smith are speaking at the Manchester Metropolitan University Workshops on Evidence, Value and Practice.
The idea of evil: secular approaches
11 October 2012 - Dr Gideon Calder is speaking at the MANCEPT/MANCEV CONFERENCE, The idea of evil: secular approaches, 22 – 23 November 2012, University of Manchester.
Thinking towards humanity: Gideon Calder contributes to Norman Geras book
14 August 2012 - Gideon Calder has contributed to a book about the work of Norman Geras, emeritus professor at the University of Manchester and one of the foremost political bloggers in the UK
Gideon Calder co-edits journal issue on on ethics and the family
31 May 2012 - Gideon Calder has co-edited a special issue of the journal Ethics and Social Welfare, entitled 'Family Values: Ethical Perspectives on Contemporary Living Arrangements and Parenthood'.
Realistic Normativity?
5 March 2012 - Dr Gideon Calder gave a paper entitled ‘Realistic Normativity?’ to the Stapledon Colloquium at the University of Liverpool.
Dr Gideon Calder Gives Keynote Address
18 May 2011 - Dr Gideon Calder, gave a keynote address at the annual Newport Centre for Criminal and Community Justice conference.
Mr Best, Where Did it All Go Wrong?
25 March 2010 - Dr Gideon Calder, gave the keynote address to the annual British Philosophy of Sport Association conference at Cardiff University.

 Recent Events
Seminar | Ethics and Social Theory: The Work of Andrew Sayer
22 February 2012 - Andrew Sayer's work in critical social science has ranged across political economy, social theory and ethics. This seminar will explore his recent work from a series of critical angles, and include a response from Andrew Sayer himself.
Ethics and Social Theory: The Work of Andrew Sayer
Ethics and Social Theory will explore this recent work from a series of critical angles, and include a response from Andrew Sayer himself.
Methods of Data Collection Seminar
22 October 2012 - Methods of Data Collection (Attendance by prior arrangement only) 9.00am-12.30pm - Rathmell E10.
Identifying Topics, Developing Research Questions
15 October 2012 - Identifying Topics, Developing Research Questions (Attendance by prior arrangement only.) Rathmell E10, Caerleon Campus.
The Equality Act 2010 and its implications
13 July 2010 - A free one-day conference for practitioners, academics and others with an interest in equality, and the scope, limits and implications of equality legislation. Hosted by the Newport Social Ethics Research Group.
Conflict and Community: Negotiating Diversity in Theory and Practice
1-3 April 2008 - One understanding of 'community' is characterised by homogeneity, harmony, and by the order which stems from a shared identity and way of life. This panel considers an alternative model.

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