The Rousseau Association is the foremost society in North America and Europe for the study of the life, work and thought of the Genevan philosopher and writer, Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778), whose political philosophy heavily influenced the French Revolution. Members of this bilingual association include Rousseau scholars from the US, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Japan, specialising in history, languages, literature, philosophy, political science and other fields.

The keynote speaker at this year’s conference is Dr Karma Nabulsi from the University of Oxford, who will present a paper on the theme ‘Republicans without republics: Rousseau’s manifesto for popular sovereignty’. Other sessions will address the relationship between Rousseau's thought and republicanism in the ancient and modern worlds and in the history of political thought.

The bilingual conference attracts participants from around the world. This year’s event, organised by Professor Christopher Bertram in the Department of Philosophy, will feature speakers from the US, Hong Kong and Australia, as well as many parts of Europe. Professor Bertram will present a paper on ‘Geneva in Rousseau’s political philosophy: membership, democracy and legitmacy’. This is the first time that the University of Bristol has hosted this prestigious event.

For further information, please contact Professor Chris Bertram, c.bertram@bristol.ac.uk.