Call for Papers: Housing Studies Association Conference 2015

Housing the Generations: Justice, Inequality and the Implications of Political Change

University of York

Wednesday 8^th – Friday 10^th April 2015

Papers are invited for the Housing Studies Association’s 2015 conference. The conference offers a welcoming platform for a wide range of topics and disciplines, including (but not limited to) social policy, sociology, economics, planning, critical and human geography, and criminology.

As we approach the 2015 UK General Election housing is again at the heart of current social and political change. Debates continue around the multiple ways in which housing can be conceptualised and provided, as the impact of economic and welfare crises continue to have an impact on how people access and experience housing. Across generations and tenures, households face challenges in accessing both affordable and suitable housing. Increasingly, younger households are reliant on family support to access owner occupation, while changes to social housing provision and the withdrawal of welfare safety nets continue to affect where, why and how it is provided. The private rental sector is gradually becoming the only realistic option for many. This locates housing centre stage in the wider debates regarding justice and fairness both within and between generations, as well as the respective roles of individuals and the state within welfare regimes.

The HSA conference provides the opportunity to discuss and debate these themes, exploring the role of housing within debates of justice and equality. The conference will also explore the extent to which there is coalescence or divergence around these issues within and beyond the UK during an era of political change.

Keynote speakers will focus on a number of themes:

• Homeownership, housing wealth and intergenerational justice
  
• Housing, class and poverty
• The implications of political change for housing in the UK

Confirmed speakers include:

• Dr Beverley Searle, University of Dundee
• Professor Sue Heath, University of Manchester
• Professor Ken Gibb, University of Glasgow
• Kate Barker, Office for Budget Responsibility

Papers from academics and practitioners related to the conference themes are welcomed, along with those addressing other aspects of housing policy, practice or theory.  Submissions (a title and 200 word abstract) should be emailed to Tom Moore ([log in to unmask]) and David Manley ([log in to unmask]) by Friday 30 January 2015.  (Please note that the organisers reserve the right to edit abstracts that exceed the 200-word limit).

An Early Career stream will run in parallel with the main conference.  Abstracts for this stream (also 200 words max) should be sent to Gareth Young ([log in to unmask]) and Ben Pattison ([log in to unmask]) by Friday 30 January 2015.  Early Career delegates will be invited to submit a written paper after the conference in order to be considered for the new Valerie Karn Memorial Prize.

Six bursaries, jointly funded by the HSA and Housing Studies Charitable Trust, are available providing financial support for attending the conference.

For further details see the HSA website: www.housing-studies-association.org