All BPA members should have received, by email, a ballot form for the 2009 Executive Committee elections. If you think you’re a member and haven’t received a ballot form, please email us on admin@bpa.ac.uk. The deadline for voting is 3 July.

There are seven candidates for the five vacant positions; below are brief statements from the candidates.

David Bain

(website …)
Nominated by Alan Weir, seconded by Fiona Macpherson

My research is primarily in philosophy of mind. I’ve lectured at Glasgow University since 2004, and before that at Oxford (1999-2000), Bristol (2000-2003), and Nottingham (2003-04). I received a BA (1991) and DPhil (1999) from Oxford, between which I got an MA and taught at Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

This is a crucial time for philosophy. Research funding is being squeezed and allocated on the basis of criteria and research themes not obviously in our subject’s interests. The shape of the REF (the RAE’s successor), crucial to UK philosophy departments, is currently being determined. More than ever we need to be on top of developments, and to spread the word about philosophy (to which end the pieces I’ve been writing for the BBC are a small contribution). I am keen to get involved to help the BPA take on these crucial challenges.

Luciano Floridi

(website …)
Nominated by Dan Hutto, seconded by Duncan Pritchard

I am Professor of Philosophy at the University of Hertfordshire, where I hold the Research Chair in Philosophy of Information, and Fellow of St Cross College, Oxford. In 2009, I was the first philosopher to be elected Gauss Professor by the Academy of Sciences in Göttingen, and was awarded the Barwise Medal by the APA for my research in the philosophy of information. My working experience at Hertfordshire and Oxford has given me the opportunity to understand the challenges facing departments with very different traditions, especially important at a time when resources are dwindling. If elected, I will focus my efforts on representing the whole British philosophical community and its diverse interests. I am keen to ensure that philosophy and the BPA will have a wide impact on the public sphere. I will work to promote the Association‚Äôs efficiency and innovativeness in dealing with our professional needs.

Chris Hookway

(website …)
Nominated by Penelope Mackie, seconded by Rob Hopkins

I have been professor of philosophy at the University of Sheffield since 1995, including stints as Head of Department and as Dean of the Arts Faculty; before that I spent seventeen years in the department at Birmingham. My philosophical interests are wide. Recent research mostly concerns the pragmatist tradition, especially Charles S Peirce,and pursuing a broadly pragmatist approach to epistemology. I teach (UG nd PG) on these topics and also philosophy of language and mind, together with some aspects of the German idealist tradition, and its impact upon pragmatism. I am also chair of the analysis committee which manages the journal Analysis and the Analysis Trust, and I was on the RAE philosophy sub-panel. Challenges for the profession over the next few years will mostly be economic: reductions to AHRC funding; coping with undergraduate programmes with reduced budgets; maintaining postgraduate programmes with less financial support and a shrinking job market.

Gillian Howie

(website …)
Nominated by Stephen Clark, seconded by Julian Dodd

The primary role of the BPA is to represent, promote and defend the discipline and philosophers nationally and locally. The next few years will present a number of challenges, including cuts in public expenditure. In response, the BPA needs to: respond swiftly to any changes in the distribution of research funding; continue with its excellent post-RAE consultation work on REF (especially the use of metrics and impact); engage with the AHRC on future research themes; communicate national agendas locally and to provide invaluable assistance to vulnerable departments. Following recent experiences, I would like to contribute in these areas.

Relevant experience: Head of Department (Liverpool); Steering Committee Women in Philosophy (2006-present); Equalities Challenge Unit: RAE Equality Code of Practice (2005); Chair Education and Development Committee, AUT (2005-06).

Michael Lacewing

(website …)
Nominated by the Philosophy Department, Heythrop College London

I am Director of Research at Heythrop College, and have acted as a consultant to the BPA (Schools Committee) on the A Level in Philosophy for the last five years. My work in these two posts will enable me to build on the recent activities of the BPA in relation to the changing research environment and in relation to philosophy in schools, activities that are integral to the aims and purpose of the BPA.¬†As Heythrop’s Director of Research, I will be well-placed to take note of and respond quickly to any developments regarding research policy and funding.¬†My work with Tom Sorell has supported the involvement of the BPA with the AQA examinations board, and the development of activities supporting school teachers, with whom I have an extensive network of contacts.

Tom Sorell

(website …)
Nominated by Brad Hooker, seconded by Helen Beebee

Why I am standing:

РTo influence the tone and content of lobbying that the BPA has to engage in to get the best deal for various branches of the profession with research councils and the government, especially in the light of the “impact” agenda
– To help in the drive for a professional association with a bigger proportion of individual members.
– To continue work I have been doing over the last five years to raise standards of philosophy teaching and examining in schools, and to help teachers through a new BPA website
– To improve employment prospects for philosophy graduates in PGCE and school teaching

Alessandra Tanesini

(website …)
Nominated by Brad Hooker, seconded by Helen Beebee

I am a reader and head of Philosophy at Cardiff University. I have been a member of the BPA Executive Committee since 2006. During this time I have taken the lead in drafting a letter from the Heads of the Philosophy units at Russell Group institutions to protest against the plans to close Liverpool Philosophy Department, I have contributed to employability workshops to enhance the career prospects of PhD students, and collaborated with other members of the executive to initiate surveys on the status of women in the profession. If given the opportunity I would be very pleased to continue to serve all constituencies within the profession through my active participation in the activities of the executive of the BPA.