Radical Statistics – Fringe meeting at the British Society for Population Studies Conference
Chair – Alan Marshall
Thursday 8th September (6pm-7pm)
The meeting, which is open to all conference participants, will provide a background to the Radical Statistics Population Studies Group and an opportunity to influence and be involved in its future work. The meeting will begin with a recap of research undertaken by the group to examine the claims and assumptions of the Optimum Population Trust (now known as Population Matters).
It will then introduce debates around two issues that might be deserving of future investigation by the group: population ageing and the health consequences of obesity. Participants in this session will also be invited to discuss other examples from population studies in which powerful political influences may sway the approach taken, and the response of researchers.
The Radical Statistics Group, usually abbreviated to RadStats, was formed in 1975 as part of the radical science movement associated with the establishment of the British Society for Social Responsibility in Science (BSSRS).
RadStats members (not limited to researchers and statisticians) share a common concern about the political implications of research, and an awareness of the actual and potential misuse of statistics:
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The mystifying use of technical language to disguise social problems as technical ones
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The power structures within which statistical and research workers are employed and which control the work and how it is used
The challenge of defining democratic research methods.
The group works through a newsletter/journal published three times a year, an annual conference in February, and support to campaigns when the opportunity arises.
Radical Statistics: www.radstats.org.uk
Population Matters– Fringe meeting at the British Society for Population Studies Conference
Speaker – Population Matters Chair Roger Martin
Thursday 8th September (6pm-7pm)
'Population Growth – getting urgent?'
The meeting, which is open to all conference participants, will provide an opportunity to hear and question the claims and assumptions of Population Matters, previously known as the Optimum Population Trust.
The speaker will argue that population is becoming ever more important in debates around humanity's current problems and common future. He will assert the links between population numbers and such issues as biodiversity loss, climate change, resource security, including food, water and energy, and challenges to our quality of life. Population concern will be presented as complementary to responses such as technological advances and behavioural change. Moreover, synergies between population concern and gender empowerment, social justice and wildlife conservation will be asserted. Approaches to encouraging replacement level fertility and balanced migration will be assessed. The meeting will also be an opportunity for Population Matters to discuss alternative views expressed earlier in the conference.
Population Matters is the leading population charity in the UK. It seeks to change the way people think about population: to campaign, educate and carry out research on how population size affects sustainability, the environment and our quality of life. The organisation was formed in 1991 in response to the neglect of population in discussions on sustainability.
Members receive a newsletter six times a year, a bi-annual magazine and journal and can attend our annual autumn conference and become involved in our campaigns. We would encourage population studies practitioners to participate.
www.populationmatters.org