Organisers: Jean-Claude Barbier (CES, Paris I), Fabrice Colomb (CES-Matisse, Paris I), Johan Bo Davidsson (European University Institute) In collaboration with ESPAnet, University Paris1-Sorbonne and the RT 6 network (social policy, social protection and solidarity) of the French association of sociology are organising a doctoral workshop on comparative methodologies and the transformation of social policies. The aim of the workshop is to create a venue for PhD students to present their research with the aim of further developing their dissertations, and/or transforming them into scientific publications.
Senior researchers will act as lecturers and discussants. They will present papers related to the theme of the workshop and they will give comments and feedback on the papers presented by PhD students. The overall theme of the workshop is the transformation of social policies in a comparative perspective. We welcome abstracts related to one of the three topics below. However, other themes could also be proposed. Employment policies (Understanding recent evolutions of employment policies/labour market policies; What is the interplay between the European level and the national one. How do countries interpret European recommendations concerning employment policies? Conversely, how do countries influence policy at the European level? Where have discussions concerning policies such as "activation”, "making work pay”, "flexicurity” originated?)
Private insurance (This dimension seems to be one of the dependent variables missing in much of the welfare state literature. To what extent and by which dynamic are private insurances layered onto or replacing existing systems? What implications does it have for the
validity of earlier welfare typologies? How can we understand the political process behind the privatization of welfare services and what implications has it had?)
Care (The relevance of care provision has never been as prominent as it became from the 1990s within the social protection systems, because of demographic and labour market changes. It is important to understand how these changes have affected the systems built in the 60s and 70s and what their current dynamics are.)
Proposals are invited to stress comparative aspects. Methods of comparison should be
explicitly described and justified. For example, the limits of the method related to the
data/results and the degree of generalization could be discussed in the paper. Studies using
quantitative and qualitative methods are both welcome. The unit of analysis could be the
micro, the meso or the macro level and could concern both Eastern and Western Europe.
Format:
* Plenary sessions: 3 senior researchers will present papers which will emphasize methodological issues.
* Parallel sessions: PhD students will present their papers and get feedback and advice from senior researchers and other students of the group. 15 Students will be divided into three groups of five. Each student will present their paper and get feedback during 1.5h. Each group will gather papers on a same theme (e.g. "care" for session A, "employment" for session B). Participants of same groups will receive the paper of their peers. Participants will have to read papers for the discussion to be fruitful and dynamic.
Senior researchers:
Jochen Clasen (University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom), Valeria Fargion (University of Florence, Italy), Claude Martin (École nationale de santé publique, France), Martin Seeleib-Kaiser (University of Oxford, United Kingdom), Jean-Claude Barbier (University of Paris 1, France), Marie-Thérèse Letablier (University of Paris 1, France)
Practical organisation:
* PhD students who are interested should apply and send an abstract (max.. 1500 words, in English) to the organizers (see contact information)
. Abstracts should mention research questions, methodology and findings expected. Abstracts should be sent to the three contacts (see below).
* The deadline of the application is 24th December 2009. The acceptance or the refusal will be notified by 25th January 2009.
* PhD students have to cover their travel expenses. Accommodations up to 2 nights, lunches and one dinner are free.
* Information concerning organisation and programs will be provided via RT6 website (under construction)
Contact information: Jean-Claude Barbier (CES, Paris 1), Fabrice Colomb (CES, Paris 1), Johan Bo Davidsson (EUI)
http://www.socialpolicy.ed.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/34681/EspanetCallforPapers2010.pdf 
