Experts & Institutions
This new research centre interdisciplinary study of the nature
of expert knowledge and the role of experts in law and society.
Experts & Institutions is closely linked to the Institute of Applied Ethics, in particular
its Criminal Justice Ethics and Biomedical Ethics programmes, but
its interests extend beyond ethics, embracing a range of
philosophical, social and legal questions about expert knowledge
and the authority of experts. We hope eventually to expand the
Centre into an inter-institutional and possibly international
network for the study of these issues.
The proper role of expert knowledge is an area of continuing
public debate. In the legal world this debate has been
stimulated by the Law Commission Consultation Paper on
Expert Evidence in
Criminal Trials, and other controversial issues such as
the role of expert witnesses in the family courts and the
assessment of scientific evidence in environmental and health
debates.
We have organized a successful conference on Experts, Authority and Law
in September 2009 and a continuing series of workshops/conferences
on topical themes (see past
events). Events later this year include a symposium (in
conjunction with Philosophy at Hull) on Experts and
Democracy on Wednesday 15th December.
Speakers will include Fabienne Peter (University of Warwick),
Matthew Fesestein (University of York) and James Connelly
(University of Hull)
.
We are also organizing an interdisciplinary reading group to
study works on the social role of experts, starting with
Democratic Authority by David Estlund. The first meeting
will be 13 October 2010.
If you would like to join Experts and Institutions and/or the
reading group, or find out more about our activities, please
contact either:
Antony Hatzistavrou
Philosophy, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX
Tel 465662 e-mail: A.Hatzistavrou@hull.ac.uk;
or
Tony Ward,
Law School, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX
Tel 01482 466387, Fax 01482 466388, e-mail: A.Ward@hull.ac.uk