Keynote Speakers:

Professor Thomas Pogge, Columbia University

Professor Karen Hassell, University of Manchester

The ‘brain drain’ of skilled labour from poor to rich countries particularly in the healthcare professions continues apace, threatening health, human rights and development goals for the world’s poor. The international migration of health workers is induced by and reinforces gross global inequalities that are characteristic of globalisation. They challenge notions that justice, health systems and justice within health systems are areas of only domestic concern. Against this backdrop, this conference is interested in understanding the ‘brain drain’ of health workers and its impact on global health as matters of justice.

This one-day conference is interested in bringing together perspectives from different disciplinary backgrounds including (bio)ethics, political philosophy, law, international relations, gender studies, development studies, political science, sociology and the practical disciplines of public health, pharmacy, medicine and allied professions.

We welcome papers that interpret the theme broadly and that may address areas such as:
- Theories of justice
- Human rights, particularly the right to health
- Impacts on development, health and health systems in poor and rich countries
- Citizenship and migration
- The nature and locus of moral responsibility
- Bioethical challenges, particularly autonomy verses justice
- The role of skill-seeking immigration policies
- International relations
- Implications for global security
- Practical solutions and progress in policy
- Feminist analyses/Gendered impacts and experiences
- International law and global justice

Abstracts of 250 words should be submitted in a Word format by 22nd June 2007. Papers from postgraduate students are particularly encouraged and some support for postgraduate attendance will be made available when registration is opened. Abstracts and queries should be sent to Rebecca Shah at r.shah@keele.ac.uk

Selected papers will be published in the December 2007 special issue of the postgraduate-led In-Spire e-journal of politics, international relations and the environment. See www.in-spire.org for further journal details. Papers will also be considered for publication from people unable to attend the conference.