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June 26-28, 2009
"The World We All Want
Conference"
Sponsored by Halloran Philanthropies
Join us for the 2009 TCR conference at
Villanova University outside of Philadelphia. The purpose of this
conference is to bring together consumer researchers to discuss
how our scholarship and actions can help alleviate the most pressing
social and economic problems. This conference is specifically designed
to create spaces for dialogue and intellectual exchange. We offer a
unique experience aimed at fostering trans-disciplinary networks and
exploring diverse visions for the future.
Please consider the following principles that guide the selection of
the participants and the format and structure of this conference.
Important Pressing Social Problems
The conference will have 8 tracks structured around some of the pressing
global problems. The penultimate goal is to assess the current state of
knowledge, identify important gaps, and layout research visions. The
ultimate goal is that the work begun within the conference will continue
in the form of ongoing intellectual exchange, research collaborations,
and/or projects aimed at social change. In each track, we have selected
two discussion leaders to champion the social problem, review proposals,
and provide direction in group exchanges both before and during the conference.
Catalytic Research Relationships
We will select participants who have demonstrated some sustained interest
in the social problem and, with an eye toward incorporating diverse perspectives,
seek people from different regions of the world, backgrounds, and career stages.
For example, each track will reserve two spaces for doctoral candidates or recent
graduates. We also reserve one space for someone who represents consumers’
interests through their work with advocacy groups, government agencies, nongovernmental
organizations, and/or businesses. They will likely be sought through invitation.
Each track will consist of 12 people who must commit to working on the social problem
throughout the entire time of the conference. Rather than the traditional conference
in which the expertise of a few people is explored, we seek to explore the distributed
intelligence across a dozen people who possess a shared interest in the social problem.
Bold Research Visions
We invite you to submit a 300 to 500 word statement of your research vision for any
of the 8 social problems and tracks. We are seeking bold and innovative research ideas
rather than incremental insights. For example, new theories, substantive questions, and
methods and implementation strategies would be examples of creative thinking. Or, you
might offer insights from other fields or identify intersections of thought that are
generative. Given the goal of transformative research is to use theoretically driven
research to solve practical problems, preference is given to those ideas most likely to
increase consumer well being.
You are welcome to submit up to two research visions to two different tracks although
only one may be accepted. Please include evidence of your sustained interest in the
social problem, such as a recent publication, a grant, practical experience, or any other
support. Clearly, junior researchers would not be expected to have the same level of
sustained experience as more senior researchers.
Doctoral students should also submit a 300 to 500 word statement of research vision that
will be evaluated using different criteria. Doctoral candidates should ask their advisors
to submit a brief cover letter that confirms the student’s stage in the doctoral program.
Preference will be given to doctoral candidates who have demonstrated some sustained
interest in the social problem, such as working on the social problem for their thesis,
presenting a conference paper, or other work experience in the area.
The deadline for submissions is: January 8, 2009. Notification will be sent by February
8, 2009. Please send vision statements to the appropriate persons for review.
Democratic Dialogue
This conference is organized to facilitate small groups of committed individuals to
exchange ideas with everyone allowed to participate freely. In each of the tracks, we
will have scribes who will document the progress and circulate the results. We will also
seek post conference feedback to shape future TCR conferences.
Track Calls and Discussion Leaders
To learn more, please click on the track or discussion leader's name.
Poverty
Dipankar Chakravarti, University of Colorado at Boulder
Jose Rosa, University of Wyoming
Materialism
Jim Burroughs, University of Virginia
Lan Chaplin, University of Arizona
Developing Markets
Cliff Shultz, Arizona State University
Rohit Deshpande, Harvard University
Sustainable Consumption
William Kilbourne, Clemson University
Andrea Prothero, University College Dublin
Empowering Consumers to Lead Healthier Lives
Lauren Block, Baruch College
Sonya Grier, American University
At Risk Groups
Elizabeth Moore, University of Notre Dame
Connie Pechmann, University of California at Irvine
Social Justice
Jerome Williams, University of Texas-Austin
Linda Scott, Oxford University
Immigration, Culture, and Ethnicity
Laurel Anderson, Arizona State University
David Crockett, University of South Carolina
We offer a heartfelt thank you to
Halloran
Philanthropies for their generous financial support. We join with them to imagine the
world we all want.
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