-------------------- Message One ---------------- THE SOCIOBIOLOGY OF INGROUP/OUTGROUP BEHAVIOUR PART II ANNUAL MEETING OF THE EUROPEAN SOCIOBIOLOGICAL SOCIETY 7-9 JULY 1997 University of Ghent Belgium CONFERENCE THEME The main theme of this conference is the sequel to the successful 1985 ESS meeting in Oxford, Great Britain, where the evolutionary dimensions of nationalism, ethnocentrism, and xenophobia were discussed. The papers of this conference were published in "The Sociobiology of Ethnocentrism", edited by Vernon Reynolds, Vincent Falger, and Ian Vine (London: Croom Helm; Athens, GA: Georgia University Press, 1987). The 1997 meeting will take place precisely ten years after the publication of this volume. In the period between 1987 and 1997, European societies have undergone major changes, such as the decline of birth rates, mass immigration, as well as the return of ethnic strife. It is felt that sociobiology may shed some light on the causes underlying these phenomena. Due to its evolutionary orientation, sociobiological analysis enhanced our understanding of reproductive behaviour, therefore studies focusing on the decline of indigenous populations are most welcome. With regard to the causes underlying the recent ethnic strife, studies specialising in the evolutionary underpinnings of the human preparedness for in-group/out-group behaviour are invited. The main focus of the conference is on the general causes underlying these behaviours, the empirical studies of these phenomena, and the policy implications involved. Obviously, given the scientific nature of this meeting, implicit or explicit political statements are excluded. The conference will be held at the University of Ghent, Belgium. Ghent is situated 55 km north-west of Brussels, the 'capital of Europe', and can easily be reached by air and rail. It was a famous rich late-Middle Age Flemish trade and artistic centre, well-preserved in modern times, and now it is a lively university town. The university of Ghent was founded in 1817. Although scholars over a variety of disciplines show an interest in sociobiological theory, biological anthropology in general and social biology and sociobiology in particular are taught at the section Biological Anthropology and Social Biology. This small-scale research group is part of the Department of Population Sciences and Social Science Research Methods, within the Faculty of Political and Social Sciences. CALL FOR ABSTRACTS The European Sociobiological Society has the objective of serving as a forum for the study of the role of biological factors in the behaviour of animals and man, with special emphasis on evolutionary aspects. The Society will, according to its Statutes, refrain from using or abusing such studies for political purposes. We welcome papers concerning the evolutionary dimensions of ethnocentrism, nationalism, xenophobia, and other sociobiological applications of the in-group/out-group concept to human societies. As always in ESS conferences, there is also a free paper session. Authors who want to present a paper at the conference, please send an abstract together with a registration form to : Prof. Dr. R.L. Cliquet University of Ghent Faculty of Political and Social Sciences Department of Population Sciences and Social Science Research Methods Section Biological Anthropology and Social Biology St.-Pietersnieuwstraat 49 B-9000 GHENT Belgium The deadline for submission of abstracts is 10 June 1997. GENERAL INFORMATION To register for the conference the registration form must be completed and returned - either by mail or fax - by 1 June 1997 at the latest to Kris Thienpont at the address below. Overhead and slide projectors will be available. Both a conference dinner and an excursion to the city of Ghent are scheduled. Please indicate on the registration form whether you'd like to subscribe for these social events. Prices are dependent on the number of participants. Conference fees : ESS members : $45 Non-ESS members : $55 Students : $30 Accommodation* is provided in local hotels and student rooms. For information, registration and reservation please contact: : Kris Thienpont University of Ghent Section Bio-Anthropology and Social Biology St.-Pietersnieuwstraat 49 B-9000 GHENT, Belgium Tel. + 32.(0)9.264.42.48 Fax + 32.(0)9.264.42.94 E-mail : Kristiaan.Thienpont(rug.ac.be) ---------------- Message Two -------------- _Science as Culture_ No. 27 (Vol. 6 Part 2) has now appeared in the US and will soon do so elsewhere. The editors hope that members of this forum will subscribe to the journal, which has a unique point of view in a world where most commentators on science, technology, medicine and other forms of expertise suffer from a remarkable timidity. Contents 'Inoculating Gadgets Against Ridicule' by Mike Michael 'The Corporate Suppression of Inventions, Conspiracy Theories, and an Ambivalent American Dream' by Stephen Demeo 'Reducing AIDS Risk' by Simon Carter 'Sperm Stories: Romantic, Entrepreneurial, and Environmental Narratives about Treating Male Infertility' by Kirsten Dwight Reviews 'Greening Public Policy: Sustainability and Beyond', review by Dale Jamieson 'The Enclosure of Nature and the Nature of Enclosures', review by John Roosa 'The Commodification of Seeds', review by Dwijen Rangnekar 'Virtual Struggles?', review by Don Parson In future issues: 'Designing flexibility: science and work in the age of flexible accumulation' by Emily Martin 'Healthy bodies, healthy citizens: the anti-secondhand smoke campaign' by Roddy Reid 'Israel's first test-tube baby' by Daphna Birenbaum Carmeli 160pp. _Science as Culture_ is published quarterly by Process Press Ltd. in Britain: http://www.shef.ac.uk/uni/projects/gpp/process.html and Guilford Publications Inc. in North America: [log in to unmask] For information about subscriptions and a list of back issues (half price to subscribers), go to: http://www.shef.ac.uk/uni/projects/gpp/process.html#science The journal has an associated email forum: [log in to unmask] To join, send message To: [log in to unmask] Body of message: SUB SCIENCE-AS-CULTURE yourfirstname yourlastname A web site associated with the journal and forum holds articles from back issues of the journal, as well as submissions under consideration (not obligatory), whose authors may benefit from constructive comments for purposes of revisions before the hard copy is printed, as well as longer piece not suitable for the email format which forum members may wish to discuss: http://www.shef.ac.uk/~psysc/rmy/sac.html SPECIAL OFFER: SUBSCRIBE FOR TWO YEARS AND GET A COMPLETE SET OF AVAILABLE BACK ISSUES: TOTAL PRICE L100 (British pounds Sterling L1.00 = ca $1.64). EXISTING SUBSCRIBERS: EXTEND YOUR SUBSCRIPTION FOR 2 YEARS AND RECEIVE ANY NUMBER BACK ISSUES AT HALF THE L4.00 PRICE USUALLY CHARGED TO SUBSCRIBERS - L2.00 EACH. This offer stands only as long as stocks last. _______________________________________ Robert Maxwell Young: [log in to unmask] 26 Freegrove Rd., London N7 9RQ, Eng. tel.+44 171 607 8306 fax.+44 171 609 4837 Professor of Psychotherapy and Psychoanalytic Studies, Centre for Psychotherapeutic Studies, University of Sheffield. Home page and writings: http://www.shef.ac.uk/~psysc/ Process Press publications: http://www.shef.ac.uk/~psysc/process_press/index.html 'One must imagine Sisyphus happy.' - Camus