Diversity and Representation: A vehicle for scientific advancement

About this Event 

Registration: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/diversity-and-representation-a-vehicle-for-scientific-advancement-tickets-126382237675

Science always aims to find ways to expand knowledge about the real  world: the natural sciences use experiments to gain insights,  philosophers use thought experiments, social sciences love case studies,  qualitative methods - including interviews, and economics mainly relies  of models. All these methods aim at the single goal: gaining knowledge  about the world around us to potentially use it for better policies and  changed behaviour in our social contexts.

The key limitation of  every scientific method is the stage setting imagination of the  scientists which is bounded by their lived experience. The more diverse  experiences are included in the scientific process the greater the  potential for expanding our collective imagination and knowledge.

In  this webinar we ask if greater diversity of scientists (specifically  economists) is not only a matter of fairness, but also a crucial vehicle  for scientific progress. We ask how greater diversity and  representation enables us to see more diverse social realities and their  interconnections, leading to greater understanding about our economy  and society.

Schedule:

We are  delighted to have a distinguished panel that will take us on a journey  to explore this issue. Please note, all timings below are provisional  and subject to change.

2.00 - 2.10pm

Introduction

2.10-2.30pm

From  a philosophy of science perspective, Kristen Intemann discusses the  scientific blind spots resulting from a lack of diversity

2.30 - 2.50pm

Carolina  Alves shares theoretical perspective of how the focus on  European/Anglo-American culture, economies and political landscapes as  well as the connected claim for neutrality and universality hinders  scientific progress in the field of economic policy making and lastly

2.50 - 3.10pm

Arun Advani explores the practical barriers to increasing the diversity of people who study and work in economics

3.20 - 5.00pm

Discussion and Q&A

About the Speakers:

Kristen Intemann: is Professor at Montana State University for Philosophy of Science, Ethics, Feminist Philosophy

Carolina Alves: Joan Robinson Fellow in Heterodox Economics (Girton College)

Arun Advani:  Assistant Professor in the Economics Departmant and Impact Director of  the CAGE Research Centre at the University of Warwick. Co-chair of the  Discover Economics campaign, aiming to increase the diversity of people  who study and work in economics. On the Editorial Board of the Economics  Observatory.

About the organisers and the Festival of Social Science:

This  webinar is brought to you by Rebuilding Macroeconomics and the National  Institute of Economic and Social Research. This event as part of the  ESRC Festival of Social Science 2020 was made possible thanks to funding  from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), which is part of  UK Research and Innovation.