Perceptions of Pregnancy: From Medieval to Modern

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

The University of Hertfordshire will host a three day conference in July 2014 on perceptions of pregnancy, organised by Dr Jennifer Evans and Dr Ciara Meehan of the University’s School of Humanities.

One of the aims of the conference is to reach beyond boundaries and borders, and to hold an international conversation on perceptions of pregnancy throughout history.  The conference hopes to bring together established and upcoming scholars working across a range of disciplines, time periods and global perspectives.  A PDF of the call for papers can be downloaded here.

The confirmed keynote speakers are Professor Joanne Bailey (Oxford Brookes University) and Dr Elaine Farrell (Queen’s University, Belfast).

This three day conference aims to bring together scholars working across a range of
disciplines, time periods and global perspectives to examine perceptions of pregnancy
throughout history.  

Papers are welcomed considering a range of issues, including, but not
limited to,
 Pregnancy, including the pregnant body and the experience of pregnancy,
 Unlawful pregnancy, including rape, incest and sexual abuse,
 Fertility and infertility, including IVF, miscarriage and still-birth,
 Abortion and contraception, including pro-life and pro-choice debate,
 Parenthood, single parenthood, and infanticide.

Potential themes for discussion are:
 Magic, ritual and religion,
 Technology and medicine,
 Gender, including male involvement and experiences,
 Government policy and politics,
 Work life, domesticity and childcare.

Enquires can be directed to Dr Jennifer Evans and Dr Ciara Meehan

Starts: 16 July 2014 14:30
Ends: 18 July 2014 15:30
Location: University of Hertfordshire