ISSP-08 Conference

After more than a decade of unprecedented economic growth according to all the conventional metrics, has the Irish developmental model finally hit the pause button or is it running out of steam? Or, is the current slowdown merely a passing blip for a fundamentally robust and sustainable developmental model? Or, does it resonate with deeper shocks linked to the massive state bailouts of financial institutions and signs of economic slowdowns in the USA, or to rising commodity prices or even ecological pressures in a wider global setting? Is the much-celebrated Irish model of economic development and social partnership now confronted by radically new challenges? If so, how do we define and map these risks and their implications for the key internal and external social or political relationships? How are recent trends impacting on the goals of ‘balanced’ and ‘sustainable’ social and spatial development in Ireland and Europe? What are the prospects for innovation and continuing employment growth in Ireland’s ‘knowledge-based economy’ or for social inclusion? Should Ireland turn more to Boston rather than Berlin – or is that now an outdated question as the Asian economies, and even major segment of ‘old Europe’ appear poised to lead economic growth in the next few years?

The past nine months or so has seen a discernible shift in the framing of journalistic and political discourse as well as in economic trends in Ireland, as elsewhere. The questions posed above indicate striking shifts in the zeitgeist or ‘structure of feeling’ since last summer. They not only underline the deep connections between local troubles and wider international trends or crises in an increasingly interdependent world system. They involve a heightened sense of uncertainty or risk compared to the new-found confidence of official Ireland during the boom years since the mid-1990s. In this light, taken-for-granted assumptions quickly turn to uncomfortable questions. Even the recent resignation of a Taoiseach -- who supervised much of ‘Celtic Tiger’ success-story - seems to pose unfamiliar questions about how far (or for whom) the ‘new’ Ireland has moved on from the bad/good old days. Much the same seems to apply to the continuing series of crises in the health service and to evident shortfalls in provision of public transport or care for the elderly. What is the likely fate and future of public services and the social partnership model if job creation and economic growth slow significantly in line with recent forecasts? How can policy strategies for innovation or a dynamic knowledge based economy be reconciled with the relatively low levels of funding for schools and universities by OECD standards? What are the implications for individuals and organisations of these changes?

As such questions lurk within or beneath journalistic, political and everyday discourses, the first ISSP conference has been framed around the theme: ‘After the Celtic Tiger’. Thus, this conference provides ample opportunities for researchers from partner institutions to draw on their research in order to critically engage with specific aspects or issues of the broader theme and questions identified above.

How do we understand features of the ‘Knowledge Society’ in the Irish context, how are those features changing? What do we know about recent trends and experiences related to the policy goals of ‘Balanced Regional and Rural Development’ in Ireland and what do they imply for sustainable communities ? How do the key terms framing the ISSP’s research agenda enable us to define and understand the key contours of change (and continuities) in Ireland since the 1990s? For example, how do ISSP’s core concepts --such as ‘Knowledge Society’, ‘Balanced Regional and Rural Development’ or ‘Sustaining Communities’ help shed new light on particular aspects of Irish society, economy or polity today? How have (or may) the terms ‘Innovation’, ‘Spatial Strategies’ and ‘Inclusion’ been appropriated in particular ways in recent studies of socio-economic, cultural or political developments in Ireland. What are the implications of these trends and changes for various kinds of organisations, institutions and social groups? How do such concepts help us understand the contours of change (and/or continuities) in specific aspects of social life, before, during or ‘After the Celtic Tiger’ ?

SCHEDULE: KEY DATES

30th May 2008:

We invite all members of the ISSP partner teams to submit Abstracts (200-300 words) by May 30th .

16th June 2008:

Registration Deadline.

1st Sept., 2008:

Deadline for submission of full papers, both completed papers and research-in-progress [comprising 3,000-6,000 words].

All papers submitted on time will be published on an ISBN CD. Selected papers may also be published in book form.

ISSP-08 Programme Committee:

• Paschal Preston, DCU.
• Willie Golden, NUIG;
• Rob Kitchin, NUIM;
• Linda Connolly, UCC
• Kathy Monks, DCU.