Geopolitical changes, the globalisation of communication, the crisis of the subject in the humanities, the growing interdisciplinarity and developments in the cognitive sciences have all had their impact. The Conference aims to create a platform for intensive and focused debate about key issues, to confront new and established models of research, to probe into some of the more controversial theoretical positions of the last few years, and to query the underlying assumptions, the practical usefulness and the consequences of particular approaches. Manchester is the UK's most excitingcosmopolitan centre, second only to London in the diversity of its cultural life. There are over 50,000 students from all over the world studying at Manchester's four universities, making the city one of the liveliest in Britain. The Manchester Conference Centre is a purpose-built facility of the highest standard, with accommodation, lecture theatre, seminar rooms, restaurants, bar and exhibition space all under the same roof.
Accommodation is provided in comfortable, en-suite rooms with satellite TV and telephone.
Additional student accommodation is available inen-suite rooms. Secured parking is also available on site. The three-day Conference will host plenary lectures, papers, panel discussions and poster presentations. The deadline for submission of abstracts of 800 words was 30 April 1999. The WWW conference programme is now available, with links to all the abstracts.