The University is calling for academic workshop proposals for Adam Smith Tercentenary Week in June 2023, which will mark the 300th birth anniversary of its famous alumnus.  

The workshops, which are supported by the John Templeton Foundation, will take place on Thursday 8 June, which is Adam Smith Tercentenary Week (June 5-10), and are part of the University’s yearlong raft of events and programmes, designed to inspire renewed discussion about Smith’s ideas and how they relate to today’s world.

Proposals are invited for both Chairs and Participants for the workshops, which will reflect on the works of Adam Smith and their relationship to contemporary issues. While underpinned by academic rigour, the workshops will aim to motivate discussion and debate, rather than following a more traditional academic seminar format.

Dr Craig Smith, the Adam Smith Senior Lecturer in the Scottish Enlightenment at the University of Glasgow, will lead this workshop event.

Each workshop will feature a ten-minute input from three speakers, followed by open discussion amongst panellists and audience members, facilitated by a Chair. 

The University is grateful for funding from the Institute for Humane Studies, which will enable us to provide vouchers up to £100 for partial travel awards to UK based PhD students and Early Career Researchers.  Please state in your abstract submission if you wish to request this support.

Proposed themed sessions include (but are not be limited to):

  • Smith and the Enlightenment
  • Smith’s Reception around the World
  • Smith and Moral Philosophy
  • Smith on Literature and Language
  • Smith and In/Equality
  • Smith’s Economics
  • Smith and International Trade

You should write an outline of no more than 250 words discussing the points you wish to address, along with a personal biography of 50-75 words.  If you wish to propose a theme, you should also include a 250 word summary of the topic. Both individual contributions to particular themes and proposals for entire sessions are welcomed. Full papers are not required.

Proposals from early career researchers and PhD students are particularly welcome.

Submissions should sent with the email titled ‘Smith Abstract:  [Insert Theme Here]’ to workshop facilitator Professor Thomas Scotto (thomas.scotto@glasgow.ac.uk) by February 1, 2023.

Adam Smith Tercentenary Week

During Adam Smith Tercentenary Week, participants are invited to attend other commemorative events at the University of Glasgow, including public lecture from Nobel Prize winning economist Professor Sir Angus Deaton, and evening lectures by high profile speakers and academic panels.

The week will culminate in a day-long Symposium on Saturday, June 10, where international scholars and practitioners will bring Smith into conversation with contemporary issues. Keynotes include Professor Sir Tim Besley (LSE), Professor Benjamin Friedman (Harvard), Professor Mary Morgan (LSE) and Sir John Kay.

First published: 2 December 2022

<< 6 December 2022


Adam Smith 300-year anniversary