Workshop 2: ‘The Value of Women’s Work: Between the Subjective and the Economic’

Women and men attach all kinds of values to the range of activities which they refer to as work. Such subjective evaluations of work are shaped by and exist in tension with cultural representations of work, and the value of work as defined in economic terms and academic and public debate. This workshop focuses on the tensions between individual and public valuations of work, and explores the ways in which the gendered construction of work sheds light on these tensions.

We particularly welcome papers which reach beyond the usual distinctions between economic, social and cultural history. In what ways are subjective valuations part of wider political, academic and socio-economic debate on women’s work and work generally, and what kinds of tensions emerge? How do individuals and societies distinguish between work and non-work? How is care work experienced, represented and valued? How can an analysis of gender relationships and identities shed light on the values attached to work and on changes over time and across space? Papers may be theoretical, or deal with one or more case studies drawn from the second half of the 20th Century up to the present. While our prime focus lies with Europe, papers may go beyond Europe to compare with other parts of the world.

Please send your proposal to Hannah-Marie Chidwick [hc6198@bristol.ac.uk] by 15 July 2014. It should include a short biographical statement with contact details; a short statement explaining your interest in the workshop and detailing the ways in which your paper transcends disciplinary or conceptual boundaries (ca. 100 words); and a paper abstract (ca. 200 words).

All proposals are subject to a review process. You will be notified by 1 August 2014. Some contribution towards travel and accommodation, in particular for postgraduates and junior academics, will be available. We plan to publish selected papers in a leading interdisciplinary journal.

This is the second workshop of four, forming part of the AHRC-funded Network ‘Women, Work and Value’. A call for papers for our third workshop, ‘The Politics of Gender, Work and Value’, to be held at the Central European University in Budapest in March 2015, will be published shortly.

Dr Josie McLellan, University of Bristol
Dr Maud Bracke, University of Glasgow
Dr Rebecca Clifford, University of Swansea
Dr Celia Donert, University of Liverpool
Dr Ruth Glynn, University of Bristol
Dr Selina Todd, University of Oxford