BSA Annual Conference 2008: Registration

To book for the conference simply complete the conference booking form, include appropriate payment or complete the invoice address section, and post to: The British Sociological Association, Bailey Suite, Palatine House, Belmont Business Park, Belmont, Durham DH1 1TW. Alternatively you can fax your form to +44 (0)191 383 0839.  Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

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The BSA’s preferred method of payment is by BACS via the NatWest Bank plc, 12 Market Place, Durham, DH1 3NG; Sort Code 52-30-44; Account No: 23679832. 

Alternatively payments can be made by cheque or credit/debit card. Cheques should be made payable to "The British Sociological Association". 

Please note all payments must be in £ sterling only. 

If you would like us to invoice your institution, please specify this on your booking form. It will be your responsibility to make sure that your payment is made in full before you arrive at the conference.

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Prospective delegates are encouraged to pay early, as only a limited number of places can be allocated.  To guarantee your place, book and pay before the early bird payment deadline on 15th February 2008, and benefit from a discounted registration rate. Please note that the deadline is non-negotiable and that the reduced rate is offered to reduce administration costs in chasing late payments. Where payment is not received before 15th February 2008, the standard rate will be charged. These terms remain applicable when an institution is issuing payment.

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For those doing a presentation please submit a completed conference booking form by no later than Friday 11th January 2008.  If your booking is not received by this date, the entry of your paper into a timetable slot and in the conference programme cannot be guaranteed.

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If you require special services or facilities that are related to a disability, e.g. adapted accommodation, sign language interpretation, please specify this on the booking form.  Every effort will be made to provide these facilities.  The booking deadline for special needs requests is Friday 15th February 2008.

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The BSA Member Concession registration fee (full-time students/unwaged members) offers reduced conference registration fee to fully paid-up concessionary BSA members (including new members) who are not being sponsored by their institutions and who are either full time students, or unwaged, or retired, or in receipt of state benefits.

Places are limited and BSA Member Concession places are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis so it is important to book early. 

How to claim: complete the conference booking form and enclose appropriate payment "concessionary rate" and post to: The British Sociological Association, Bailey Suite, Palatine House, Belmont Business Park, Belmont, Durham DH1 1TW.  Alternatively you can fax your form to +44 (0)191 383 0782.

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The BSA Support Fund will allocate free registration to 30 paid-up UK Concessionary members who must be full-time students and unwaged or in receipt of benefit who are not being sponsored by their institution or in receipt of a stipend. Free registration will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis so it is important to book early.

Members allocated with a free registration will be restricted to the amount they may apply for in any subsequent applications to the BSA Support Fund during the financial period in which the conference takes place, ie period ending 30th September.  Members will be only eligible to apply for the maximum amount awarded by the Support Fund less the conference fee awarded earlier, ie £200 (maximum Support Fund award) less £93 free conference place = £107 balance. This is to ensure the fund benefits as many members as is possible throughout the year.

How to claim: complete the conference booking form and post to: The British Sociological Association, Bailey Suite, Palatine House, Bailey Suite, Belmont Business Park, Belmont, Durham DH1 1TW.  Alternatively you can fax your form to +44 (0)191 383 0782.

Please note the following information:

• The free registration will be awarded on a first come, first served basis so it is important to book early. 
• The BSA can offer no support for evening meals, accommodation or travel costs.  
• If you require any accommodation and/or welcome dinner at the University of Warwick please indicate this on your booking form and forward payment with your completed booking form.  
•  It will not be necessary to complete a Support Fund Application Form.

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The BSA has reciprocal arrangements with the Australian Sociological Association, the Canadian Sociology and Anthropological Association, the Social Policy Association, Sociologists for Women in Society and the British Society of Criminology on conference registration fees. 

If you are a member of the Australian Sociological Association, the Canadian Sociology and Anthropological Association, the Social Policy Association, Sociologists for Women in Society or the British Society of Criminology, please complete the conference booking form at the BSA member’s rate and forward proof of your membership with your completed booking form. Proof of membership can include a copy of a confirmation of membership for the current year, an indication of your membership number, or a copy of any other correspondence or document proving a current active membership status. Please do not send original documents.

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Amongst the benefits of membership, our members enjoy reduced rates at BSA conferences (see booking form). If you would like to join the BSA to take advantage of this, please contact the BSA office for an application form.

Subscriptions for membership depend on your income and begin at £27.00 (2007 rate) for UK-based full-time students. Find out more about membership benefits.

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BSA annual conferences are not subsidised by membership subscription fees. The total cost of running the 2008 BSA conference is in the region of £141,100.  The direct cost of accommodation and the conference dinner for delegates is in the region of £37,770.  Delegate registration fees and exhibition sales pay for the remaining £103,330.

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1. BSA Staff, & Support Staff costs:  £41,650 - Events Officer & proportion of other staff time, Administrative support, On-site accommodation & meals, Conference team Costs.
2. Equipment/Rooms:  £13,230 - Room hire, Audio-visual Technical Support, On-site office equipment.
3. Lunches/Teas & Coffees/Phone/Post/Stationery/Publicity: £24,700
4. Events/Services: £23,750 - Abstracts & Programme Book, Delegate Packs, Email Provision, Plenary Speakers, Crèche, Disabled delegate services, Publishers Exhibition, Bags & pens.

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Subject as provided below the BSA accepts your booking form as a firm and binding booking.  Cancellations of bookings must be made in writing to the British Sociological Association, Bailey Suite, Palatine House, Belmont Business Park, Belmont, Durham DH1 1TW.  Letters to members of the Conference Organising Team will not be accepted as cancellations. 

Cancellations received up to and including 22 February 2008 will incur an administration fee of £10.

Cancellations received after 22 February 2008 will not be eligible for a refund on any fees related to meals or accommodation or registration.

Refunds shall not be payable for any total or partial failure of performance by the BSA of its duties and obligations under this Agreement occasioned by any act of God including but not limited to fire, flood, drought, tempest; act of government or state, war, civil commotion, insurrection, blockade, embargo, prevention from or hindrance in obtaining any raw materials, energy or other supplies, interruption of utility service, labour disputes of whatever nature including but not limited to strike, lock out or boycott; fuel shortage, disruption to transportation services or facilities, and any other reason beyond the control of the BSA.

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The BSA and the Conference Organising Team are unable to guarantee that any session or event will take place as advertised.  Refunds of registration fees or fees for meals and/or accommodation, or refunds for expenses incurred in connection with a booking for a particular event are not available.