Touching time: duration, bodies, politics
 
Location: Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands. In-person and online.
Date: 23rd and 24th June 2025
 
The British Society for Phenomenology 2025 International Symposium
The Department of Philosophy and the Department of Culture Studies, University of Tilburg
Netherlands Institute for Cultural Analysis
 
Keynote speakers:

• Professor Lisa Baraitser (Birkbeck, University of London, UK)
• Dr David Ventura (Newcastle University, UK)

 
Theme:
In modern Western thought, time is often seen as a naturally linear, infinite succession of moments, moving from past to future. In this line of thinking, bodies are located in time as in an empty container, while the vastly different ways in which time is shaped by bodies and their interactions tends to be overlooked.
In this two-day symposium, we aim to explore the intersection of embodiment and temporality and to challenge the conception of time as linear succession. We invite our speakers to focus on ways in which different embodied practices, experiences, and relations shape and are shaped by time. Examples of such experiences could be chronic illness, ageing, political displacement, prolonged relationships of love or care, detention, or activism for a seemingly hopeless cause. For bodies in these situations, time can appear to be “stuck,” to stretch, fold, or move in unpredictable ways.
While the starting point of this symposium is phenomenological, we are also open to other intellectual traditions with an interest in lived experience. Contributions may draw on diverse fields, such as the arts, psychosocial theory, anthropology, and literary analysis. We also encourage contributions from practitioners. Questions to be addressed include, but are not limited to, the following:

• What are the implications of considering time not just as a transcendental condition of experience but as being constituted by embodied practices?
• How can a temporal perspective enrich our understanding of phenomena such as ageing, chronic illness, incarceration, etc.?
• Which metaphors might help us think time in non-linear ways?
• What are the practical and/or political implications of thinking time in non-linear ways?

 
Event overview:
The BSP International Symposium is intended to foster closer links between phenomenologists working in the UK and across the world. It offers a platform through which to spotlight areas of excellence and innovation at a different host institution or country each year, entering into dialogue with visiting speakers (and delegates) from the BSP and exploring points of common interest. This year, the BSP is collaborating with partners in the Netherlands.
In order to cultivate the best possible collaborative atmosphere with the resources available, this event will offer in-person participation but online viewing only. Presentations will take place in-person.
We will, however, do our best to support with accessibility needs. Please get in touch with any queries or concerns relating to this (see contact details below).
The event is due to be held at the Mindlabs Building in Tilburg in the Netherlands. There is space for 60 people to attend in-person. An audio system and video projection screen are provided. 
 
Cost of participation and/or attendance:
Sponsorship from the Department of Culture Studies of Tilburg University and the Netherlands Institute for Cultural Analysis means that this event will be accessible free-of-charge to all registered speakers and attendees. Refreshments and a reception will be provided for in-person delegates, as well as the option to attend a creative workshop as part of the programme. Lunch will not be provided.
Membership of the British Society for Phenomenology is not required to participate, but those interested in this event may benefit from joining. Membership includes discounted access to BSP events (in-person and online) and a subscription to the Journal of the British Society for Phenomenology.
 
Submission Information:
We are seeking contributions to the Symposium of 20-minute presentations. There will be 10 minutes of Q&A following each selected presentation.
Those interested in contributing should send a 300-word abstract to the following email address: [email protected]. The deadline for abstract submissions is Monday 31st March 2025. Decisions will be communicated around mid-April.
 
This Symposium is organised by

1. Femke van Hout (PhD Researcher, Tilburg University, NL)
2. Hans-Georg Eilenberger (University of Humanistic Studies, Utrecht, NL)
3. Jessie Stanier (BSP team and Lecturer in Philosophy, UWE Bristol, UK)

 
If you have any questions about the event, please check out the event webpage or contact the organisers via the above-mentioned email address.

Call for abstracts
Beauvoir Society at SPEP
October 17-18 and 24-25
Online


We invite abstracts on the works of Simone de Beauvoir to be presented at the International Simone de Beauvoir Society (SdBS) affiliate session of the 2025 meeting of the Society for Phenomenology and Existential Philosophy (SPEP), which will be held online. Given the current political environment, essays devoted to the theme of complicity and resistance are especially encouraged.


Conference talks should be 20-30min in length and presented in English.


Please submit abstracts to Marine Rouch at [email protected] by May 1, 2025.

• Abstracts should be no more than 350 words in length, written in English, and anonymized for review.
• Additionally, please submit an abbreviated CV that includes your affiliation (if any) and contact details.

Decisions will be made prior to May 15, 2025.


Please note the following:

• Abstract submissions are welcome from non-members of both societies; however, affiliate program participants must become members of both SdBS and SPEP as well as register for the conference.
  • SdBS membership
  • SPEP membership; registration information forthcoming.
• Participants may appear on both the Beauvoir affiliate program and the SPEP main program but only with different papers.
• Acceptance is conditional on SPEP granting SdBS affiliate status, which will be announced by April 1.

Submissions will be reviewed by:
                Katja Čičigoj, Klagenfurt/Celovec University
                Tove Pettersen, University of Oslo
                Dana Rognlie, Old Dominion University
                Erika Ruonakoski, University of Jyväskylä


Questions or concerns may be directed to Dana Rognlie at [email protected] or Marine Rouch at [email protected].