IAMAS Conference 2022

 Theme: Mothering and Motherhood on the Home/Front

The homefront is generally imagined as a place we protect and where we are protected from hostilities and discomfort. Homelife stands in contrast to the public world of work, yet we know that work –both waged and unwaged – is part of home/work, particularly as Covid has forced many children and adults into increased uncertainty. The homeplace has a “radical political dimension” according to bell hooks and is a site “where one could resist.” We will examine the importance of home, mothering, and motherhood in its multiple meanings at our upcoming conference. Please submit your abstract on any of the following topics (or others that we have yet to imagine).

• Opting in/out of work and work/home balance;
• Race and class in mother/child, mother/co-parent, mother/mother, mother/caregiver relationships;
• Mothering across borders: Immigration/migration patterns and work visas/permits;
• Single, queer, other(ed) mothering in private and public spaces;
• Impact of Covid on mothers and mothering;
• (Blurring of) Separate spheres, public/private;
• Division of labor, emotional labor, unpaid labor;
• Universal basic income, maternity leave and paid leave;
• Unhoused and unsheltered mothers and mothering;
• Mothers removed and/or absent from the home;
• Mothers in the military;
• Mothering from an empty nest;
• Vulnerable Motherhood(s), disability/ableism in mother/work;
• Transnational motherhood/transnational mothers (and mother-scholars);
• National identity and mothering/motherhood;
• Capitalism, patriarchy, and property;
• Welfare state, safety nets, neoliberalism, and DIY carework.

Any research, theory, thought leadership and/or art centering motherhood research will be considered, regardless of overall fit with the theme. Please visit https://catherineg20.sg-host.com or email Katie B. Garner at kbgarner@catherineg20.sg-host.com for more information.

Part One Conference Information – Sept 23, 2022 (online)

Many of our conferences have been online, making the meaningful opportunities to connect in organic and fruitful ways with our peers too rare. For the 2022/23 IAMAS conference, we will craft intentional spaces during a one-day, online conference event designed to center collaboration and connection.

This one-day conference event will offer spaces for:

• Feedback and guidance on IAMAS abstract submissions and MOMA award applications;
• Amazing keynote address;
• Dedicated time for brainstorming, peer and solo writing session, and deep networking;
• Professional and peer mentoring for any career stage
• Finding and working with co-writers;
• Engaging workshops on topics that may include equitable grading, teaching motherhood studies, intellectual activism/public scholarship, etc.

While the Part One of the conference is not mandatory, we intend for this to be a critical aspect of the overall experience and strongly encourage #IAMAS2023 attendees to join.

Part Two Conference Information – March 11-13, 2023 (Chicago, IL USA or online )

Part Two of the conference will proceed as past IAMAS conferences have. We will offer a bevy of interactive panels and roundtables, a brilliant un-keynote address, lots of engaging workshops, time for meaningful dialogue, and our 3rd annual MOMA award. Our mentorship program continues to expand and will offer support to IAMAS members at various points in their careers.

If we can meet in-person, IAMAS hopes to offer a hybrid conference in March 2023. (September will still be online.) A hybrid option permits attendees to choose in-person or virtual for the March dates. Should Covid concerns prevent this option, we will be 100% virtual. In either scenario, online attendees can expect the following fee structure. In-person registration fees, if applicable, will require an additional surcharge of approximately $150-200 to cover space, AV, and other amenities associated with hosting at a hotel or other venue. Thank you for understanding our need to remain flexible. As always, we will strive to remain accessible to all.

Email Katie B. Garner at kbgarner@catherineg20.sg-host.com for more information.

Not an IAMAS member? Become a member today and bundle your membership and conference fees.

Submit your proposal