Royal Institute of Philosophy Terms and Conditions for Public Philosophy Event funding.
- This programme is open to any registered organisation that can demonstrate opportunities to deliver accessible philosophy programmes to members of the general public.
- Funding for public philosophy events is intended for such things as speakers’ expenses (accommodation, economy travel, and meals), hall hire and advertising costs. The Royal Institute’s financial commitment is limited by the agreement made between the Managing Director and the event organiser, based on the original proposal as received. Funds can be made available in advance or after the event, in either case on receipt of an invoice sent to the Managing Director m.nightingale@royalinstitutephilosophy.org
- The topic agreed for the event may not be changed except by consent of the Academic Director of the Royal Institute. The detailed arrangements for the programme are, however, entirely at the discretion of the host. In keeping with its own remit, the Royal Institute aims to sponsor events on topics which are likely to be of interest not only to people in departments of philosophy, whether these are academics outside philosophy departments, members of the wider public, or both. Speakers should take care to make themselves understandable to the full range of the event’s target audiences.
- Events may be planned over one day or multiple days, depending on what is most suitable for the content and target audience, and provided that costs can be justified.
- All applicants must review the Guidance & Resources from BPA Good Practice Scheme and apply to their event planning.
- When drawing up a list of potential invited speakers, take reasonable steps to ensure that women are well represented; see the Good Practice website for more information and advice.
- Where possible, consult the women on your list before fixing the date of the event, to ensure that women speakers are not just invited but will actually attend.
- Women may well be at lower-prestige institutions and/or in lower-ranked jobs. (E.g. in the UK, only 12% of professors in Russell Group philosophy departments are women.) They may therefore have less access to institutional funding. If you cannot fund all speakers, ask bigger-name speakers whether they can fund their own travel (they can always say no), freeing up resources for less well-known speakers.
- Organisers should ensure that male and female speakers are treated equally on publicity material and the conference programme (e.g. to avoid the situation where a male speaker is described as ‘Senior Lecturer in philosophy at …’ but a female speaker, also an SL, is described as ‘teaches philosophy at …’; or where the male speaker’s title (Dr, Prof.) is included but the female speaker’s isn’t).
- Investigate whether the provision of childcare facilities for the duration of the event is possible. Many universities have crèches on or near campus, which may be able to offer a rate for speakers at larger events. For larger events, if campus facilities are not available consider hosting the event at a hotel that offers childcare and babysitting services. Consider setting aside funding to subsidise the use of childcare facilities by speakers; see the Good Practice website for more information and advice. There are further details here.
- Event organisers are also asked to consider accessibility. The BPA has guidance here which might be helpful too.
11. Applicants should avoid hosting events within a university campus and ensure there are good local transport links.11. If working in partnership with other organisations, these should be outlined within your grant application. It is assumed that the Royal Institute will be the main sponsor of the event, though it may be appropriate to look for additional financial assistance elsewhere. The Royal Institute must be a consenting party to any co-sponsoring arrangement and reserves its right to withdraw funding.
12. A full report detailing the outcomes of the event will be required within 4 weeks following the date of the event. Organisers are asked to report on topics addressed, by whom, and anything else about the event that might be of interest to the committee. This report should also include a full and final budget of expenditure. This should be sent to the managing director m.nightingale@royalinstitutephilosophy.org
13. Any unspent grant monies must be returned to the Royal Institute of Philosophy within 4 weeks following the date of the event.
14. The event must be known and advertised as a Royal Institute of Philosophy event. It is expected that it will be widely advertised, particularly to people outside philosophy departments, so advertising solely via postings on a departmental website is insufficient.