I came across an interesting CFP for a conference on theoretical virtues in theory choice, taking place in Konstanz. (It’s not like I read every single CFP that goes around, but I happen to have a dilettante interest in the topic.) It goes as follows:
We invite submissions of abstracts (500 words) of papers of approximately 30 minutes presentation time. The deadline for submissions is March 15, 2012. Please upload your submissions at https://www.easychair.org/conferences/?conf=tvtc2012. Preference will be given to graduate students and/or female speakers. The decisions will be announced by April 1, 2012. (My emphasis)
I think this is the first time that I see explicit mention on a CFP of preference given to particular underrepresented groups in philosophy, and I think it’s great! I can already hear voices of discontent complaining about how this policy discriminates against male non-graduate students, but I am myself a proponent of affirmative action in a number of situations. I can also hear dissatisfaction regarding the fact that other underrepresented groups in philosophy are not receiving the same treatment; but for reasons I've explained elsewhere (and which remain controversial, I know), I believe that the case of women is relevantly different from the case of other underrepresented groups in the profession, in such a way that this measure would not be implementable for other groups.
I had seen before (and had written CFPs with) something like ‘women are strongly encouraged to submit’, but this is the first time that I see conference organizers going a step further. I also like it that they include graduate students among those who will be given preference, as this is also a group of people often at disadvantageous positions in the profession. By the way, the (impressive) lineup of invited speakers has 2 women out of 10 speakers, which is not fantastic but is not bad either.
Next time I write a CFP, I will follow this example!
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