The University of Kent’s Civil Society Research Cluster is hosting an event online titled ‘Understanding Voluntary Action: Past, Present and Future’, exploring philanthropy and the not-for-profit sector over the years.
The Civil Society Research Cluster which explores the social forces and cultural interests that move people to take moral responsibility for the care of others, is centred around the research of Kent’s Centre for Philanthropy and the Centre for the Study of Social and Political Movements. The conference will feature guest speakers from Kent and welcome guest speakers from the wider academic sphere to discuss their research.
The event’s guest speakers include:
- Hugh Cunningham, Emeritus Professor of History at the University of Kent, with a keynote paper titled ‘Philanthropy and Voluntary Action: 1750 to the present’.
- Dr Jon Dean, Reader in Politics and Sociology at the Sheffield Hallam University, with a keynote paper titled ‘The present of voluntary action’.
- Professor Ilana Silber of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Bar-Ilan University, with a keynote paper titled ‘Damned if you do, damned if you don’t: Mega Giving as Cultural and Democratic Conundrum’.
- Dr Ali Body, Lecturer in Philanthropic Studies at Kent’s Centre for Philanthropy, discussing her new book ‘Children’s Charities in Crisis: Early Intervention and the State’.
- Dr Kate Bradley, Senior Lecturer in Social History/Policy at Kent’s School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research, discussing her new book ‘Lawyers for the Poor: Legal Advice, Voluntary Action and Citizenship in England, 1890-1990’
- Dr Corey Wrenn, Lecturer in Sociology at Kent’s School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research discussing her new book ‘Piecemeal Protest: Animal Rights on the Age of Nonprofits’.
Dr Beth Breeze, Director of the Centre for Philanthropy and Convener of the Civil Society Research Cluster 2019/20, said: ‘We welcome industry professionals and those with an interest in philanthropy to join us in this online version of our conference. While it’s disappointing not to be able to gather in person, it is a testament to the enthusiasm of colleagues in this research cluster, and to the kindness of the speakers, that we are able to transfer to an online platform to continue sharing knowledge and new ideas about our topic.’
Each of the guest speakers’ talks are available online here: https://research.kent.ac.uk/philanthropy/civil-society-research-cluster-event/ until further notice.