New Call for Abstracts (CFA) - International In-Person Conference: "Philosophizing the Future of Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Mothering"
April 2-4, 2026 International Conference at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville
The Society for the Study of Pregnancy and Birth (SSPRB) is delighted to support the work of fellow associations, academics, and scholars working on the study of pregnancy, birth, and mothering. Dr. Caroline Lundquist and Dr. Sarah LaChance Adams, both philosophy scholars, have organized an international conference to be held April 2-4, 2026 at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville around the theme of Philosophizing the Future of Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Mothering.
See the below information for their abstract submission instructions and full description of this exciting event.
Society for the Study of Pregnancy and Birth (SSPRB)
International Conference
Philosophizing the Future of Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Mothering
April 2-4, 2026
University of North Florida in Jacksonville, FL USA
Call for Abstracts
Extended Abstracts due November 1st, 2025
Notifications made by December 1st, 2025
Extended abstracts (600-800 words) should be emailed to: futurephilpcm@gmail.com
In the last 15 years the topics of pregnancy, childbirth and mothering (PCM) have drawn the attention of a growing community of scholars, resulting in a robust body of research. This conference marks a moment in which scholars are keen to research the lived experience and socio-political dimensions of PCM phenomena. Building on the accomplishments of past and recent scholarship, we seek to envision future philosophies of PCM.
This event invites philosophical thinking across diverse disciplines including but not limited to anthropology, computer science (especially A.I. studies), nursing and healthcare, mental health, history, political science, sociology, social welfare, psychology and psychoanalysis, women’s and gender studies, literature and film studies, religious studies, cultural studies including Africana studies, and the arts.
We welcome diverse and divergent perspectives. Contributions may range from highly theoretical (analytic, phenomenological, psychoanalytic, etc.) to more empirically based work. Potential topics could include:
Ethics of emerging/future reproductive technology
Futurisms of PCM (feminist utopianism, queer futurism, decolonial feminist futurism, etc.)
Shifting national and international gender politics of PCM
PCM vis-a-vis the changing climate/climate disaster (pregnancy and toxic environments; ecofeminist mothering)
PCM as depicted in popular culture/mainstream media
Adoptive and foster mothering
Communal/collective parenting (alternatives to traditional one and two parent family structures)
Trans and nonbinary PCM
Blind spots in existing PCM research
Conference participants may be invited to develop their papers into chapters for The Handbook of Philosophies on Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Mothering (Palgrave MacMillan 2027).
For questions, reach out to: Caroline Lundquist lundc@uoregon.edu or Sarah LaChance Adams s.lachanceadams@unf.edu