Back to All Events

The Pursuit of Beauty: an Academic Conference


  • Peterhouse College Cambridge United Kingdom (map)

The Roger Scruton Legacy Foundation, with generous support from the Mathias Corvinus Collegium, is pleased to present ‘The Pursuit of Beauty: An Academic Conference’, a comprehensive three-day programme exploring the philosophy of beauty. This gathering, taking place from 14th-16th September at the historic Peterhouse College, Cambridge, seeks to cultivate dialogue and exchange amongst the next generation of academics and artists, with a primary audience of graduate students, young academics and young artists.

Participants can look forward to several engaging sessions conducted by esteemed academics from across Europe, facilitating rich and diverse viewpoints on the concept of beauty. The programme will culminate each evening with a keynote lecture. On the 14th, we will hear from Cambridge Professor Douglas Hedley, Professor of the Philosophy of Religion and Fellow of Clare College, on the relationship between Beauty and the Sacred. Then, on the 15th, leading aesthetician Professor Nick Zangwill, Honorary Research Professor, University College London and Lincoln University, will explore the philosophy of music followed by renowned classical architect Professor Robert Adam with a keynote lecture on architecture, tradition and beauty.

See full itinerary below.

  • Session I: Scruton's Aesthetics

    2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

    Professor Anthony O'Hear

    Professor Ferenc Hörcher

    Ms Andrea Frost

    Session II: Art and Modernity

    4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

    Ms Cécile Varry

    Dr Justine Kolata

    Moderated by Dr Serenhedd James

    Keynote I: Beauty and the Sacred

    5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

    Professor Douglas Hedley

    Moderated by Professor James Orr

  • Keynote II: Music and Philosophy

    10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

    Professor Nick Zangwill

    Moderated by Professor Anthony O’Hear

    Lunch

    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

    Session III: Understanding Literature

    1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

    Dr Ralph Weir

    Ms Jane Cooper

    Dr Serenhedd James

    Profesor Robert Grant

    Session IV: Sentimentality in Art & Culture

    3:00 PM - 4:30 PM

    Dr Mikolaj SlawkowskiRode

    Dr Lola Salem

    Dr Daniel Robinson

    Dr Samuel Hughes

    Keynote III: Beauty: Community and Comprehension

    5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

    Professor Robert Adam

    Moderated by Dr Samuel Hughes

    Drink Reception

    7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

  • Session V: Music as an Art

    10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

    Professor Ian Pace

    Mr Benjamin Crocker

    Mr Håkon Wium Lie

    Lunch

    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

    Concert Performance

    1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

    A special concert of solo cello pieces by JS Bach performed by David Cohen, Principal Cello of the London Symphony Orchestra.

    Session VI: Cultivating Beauty

    2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

    Ms María Sánchez

    Moderated by Mr Fisher Derderian

A limited number of spots will be fully funded, covering all costs related to accommodations, food and programme fees. All individuals interested in a funded spot should submit an application. In addition, there are ticketed day passes available—at both full and student pricing—for those interested in attending the keynotes and other general sessions during the conference.

Applicants are asked to submit a CV and provide a statement of interest in the programme through the above link. The statement, which should be no more than 2500 characters or 350-500 words, might address why you would like to attend the programme, what your current research interests are or how participating might advance your academic and/or career goals. Applications are now closed.


MEDIA

To be made available soon.