Welcome to the web-pages of The British Society for Phenomenology. The BSP is an international independent academic society which seeks via its conferences and workshops to promote awareness of, study of and research into the European Phenomenological Tradition and its cognate arms of philosophy. Through its journal - the Journal of the British Society of Phenomenology - the Society champions publications and book reviews in the field of phenomenology, contemporary European Philosophy, social philosophy, aesthetics, hermeneutics, and other associated branches of philosophical research.
The BSP seeks to provide a friendly and supportive forum for inter-disciplinary discussion amongst those with broad philosophical interests. Membership and its fee is annual and open to all. The BSP makes a point of promoting the interests of young researchers and philosophers at the outset of their career. Annual conferences include dedicated post graduate sessions and the Society awards a limited number of post-graduate bursaries to defray the cost of its larger meetings. Whenever it is possible and solely at the discretion of its Executive, the Society will support affiliated meetings and workshops that promote phenomenology and modern European philosophy. The Society takes pride in its Annual Conferences which combine informality with academic rigour. Papers are traditionally up to an hour in length with up to 40 minutes of intense discussion.
The BSP is managed by an elected Executive Board which is answerable to the broad membership. Executive meetings take place twice a year and the AGM normally takes place over the Easter period at the annual conference. The BSP holds its annual spring conference at the University of Oxford with speakers of the highest international reputation. Previous speakers have included Hans-Georg Gadamer, Jacques TaminIaux, John Sallis and Paul Ricoeur.
At the last AGM, Elena Zanger stood down from the post of Treasurer that she held for many years, and in which she had assisted Noel Curran for many more years before that. Elena has been a tireless servant of the BSP, a keen upholder of its principles, and has always sought to preserve the open and egalitarian ethos that the Society and the annual conference first acquired under the guidance of Wolfe Mays.
The work that Elena has caried out on behalf of the BSP has generally been behind the scenes, and has for that reason not always attracted the thanks it deserves. Especially in the period leading up to, and during, the conference, she has put in a huge effort year after year to ensure that the arrangements proceed smoothly. Her attention to detail is legendary, and has worked to the advantage of the Society on many occasions.
We are delighted that Elena is continuing to serve on the Executive Committee, and we’re sure everyone will join us in thanking her for the enormous contribution she has made to the Society. Long may she continue to do so.
If you have enquiries about the work of The British Society for Phenomenology, have suggestions for future conference themes, principal speakers and work-shops, or wish to ask about membership, please contact the appropriate Society officer.
We look forward to being in contact with you.