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Social Policy Association Postgraduate Workshop Series
Call for Papers: A one-day postgraduate workshop exploring lone parenthood 

Details: Tuesday 27th March at the University of Birmingham (to be confirmed)


As part of its ongoing commitment to its postgraduate members the Social Policy Association (SPA) is pleased to announce the launch of its new Postgraduate Workshop series to complement its successful annual Postgraduate Conference. Whilst the SPA Postgraduate Conference caters for the whole range of postgraduate research topics, the SPA Postgraduate Workshop series will bring together small groups of postgraduate researchers working on similar topics for one-day events for detailed discussion of the themes and presentations. The first workshop in the series will explore issues around lone parenthood and will be chaired by Professor Karen Rowlingson from the University of Birmingham.

Aim of the workshop to explore lone parenthood

The aim of this first workshop exploring research into lone parenthood is to bring together professionals, academics and postgraduate students working with or researching issues around lone parenthood in order to present, discuss and explore perspectives, priorities, research questions and findings. 

Researching lone parenthood encompasses a diverse range of areas from social policy issues around welfare, housing, deprivation, employment and sex education to questions around sexualities, new reproductive technologies and new forms of family, intimacy and risk. The workshop will be a good opportunity to learn about and discuss new research about lone parents and to gain a broader understanding of surrounding issues. 

We are delighted to have Professor Karen Rowlingson as the event’s Academic Chair for an event which will consist of presentations by postgraduate researchers, followed by ample time for discussion. It is anticipated that the event will bring together 6-8 presenters and non-presenting participants and poster presentations are also welcome. 

Call for papers

The event is planned for Tuesday March 27th at the University of Birmingham, exact details to be confirmed. We welcome abstracts of up to 500 words from postgraduate students researching lone parenthood within any discipline, which may include, but is not limited to, social policy, sociology, anthropology, education and economics. Abstracts should be sent to [log in to unmask] by Friday February 30th. Participants are expected to present on the day and in order to stimulate discussion are strongly encouraged to submit a written paper of up to 5,000 words by Friday March 16th to [log in to unmask] Financial support for travel costs of up to £40 per participant will be available for the event.

SPA for postgraduates: Postgraduate Conference and Postgraduate Workshop series

The Postgraduate Workshop series represents the latest addition to the SPA’s tailored provision for postgraduates researching issues relating to social policy and at £18 per year SPA membership for postgraduates represents fantastic value for money. In addition to all of the usual benefits of SPA membership- free copies of the Journal of Social Policy and of Social Policy and Society, the Policy World social policy newsletter, reduced rates at SPA events and more- postgraduates enjoy two events specifically tailored to their needs:
•	The annual SPA Postgraduate Conference takes place in July at the same time as the full SPA Conference and brings together postgraduates across a range of topics to meet, present and discuss their work in a relaxed and constructive environment. The 2006 was a huge success and we are looking forward to this year’s conference in July.
•	The new Postgraduate Workshop series meets different needs, bringing together a small number of postgraduate researchers working in a shared topic area to present and discuss their work in greater depth than is possible in a conference format. The series has been created in response to demand from postgraduates and we hope that you enjoy this new addition! If you have suggestions for future SPA Postgraduate Workshop themes we would love to hear from you: please write to [log in to unmask]

If you would like to become a member of the SPA please visit 
www.social-policy.com/membership.aspx

Many thanks,

Adam Whitworth,
Postgraduate Representative of the Social Policy Association,
DPhil student Dept for Social Policy and Social Work, University of Oxford,
Research Officer, Social Disadvantage Research Centre, University of Oxford.