The Cambridge realist workshop has been meeting regularly on Monday evenings since 1990. The realist emphasis originated with the common perception of a group of Cambridge economists, that modern economics pays too little attention to the nature of material it aims to illuminate. In consequence, an early workshop objective was to assess how method can usefully be adapted to insights into the nature of social material. Once instituted the workshop quickly broadened its themes and now encompasses almost any sort of discussion in the field of methodology or the philosophy of science.  Its emphasis is pluralist and critical.  A concern with relevance remains central however.

In term the workshop takes the form of a seminar series. These seminars are held each Monday from 8 p.m. until (about) 10 p.m.  For  the first 10 years they took place in Kings College; in 2001 they moved to Newnham College; since 2004 they have we been held in the main seminar room of CRASSH  (Centre for Research in the Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities)  in Mill Lane. The seminars are fairly informal events, usually concerned more with exploring topics of relevance, and with advancing the discussion, than with providing finished work.

Presentations can be by local Ph.D. students, visiting professors, Nobel Memorial Prize winners, or whoever. Usually about 30-40 people attend, although sometimes the number present is significantly higher.  Anyone interested is welcome: just turn up.

Out of term many workshop participants continue to meet each Monday evening, usually at a local pub. Also within term various reading groups can emerge.

 
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