Bringing together scholars, care providers, activists, and artists from around the world, the scientific conference “Birthing, Mothering and Othering” aims to foster a global, cross-disciplinary dialogue on reproductive care and justice. The event will be held at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, from October 20 to 24, 2025. 

Argument

The scientific conference “Birthing, Mothering and Othering” will be held at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, from October 20 to 24, 2025. Bringing together scholars, care providers, activists, and artists from around the world, the event aims to foster a global, cross-disciplinary dialogue on reproductive care and justice.
Drawing from fields such as sociology, anthropology, public health, and demography, as well as from the lived experiences of midwives, doulas, and other practitioners, the conference will explore the full spectrum of reproductive care—from preconception to postpartum. It will highlight diverse approaches to birth, including both medicalized and non-medicalized practices, and give special attention to gender-based and obstetric violence, as well as community-based alternatives within a reproductive justice framework.
A key feature of the event is its participatory approach: beyond academic presentations, it will include hands-on workshops led by traditional and professional care providers. This inclusive format emphasizes ethical, practitioner-informed collaboration and aims to build international networks of solidarity among those working in reproductive health.

Thematic Strands

1. Birth Work: Experiences, Narratives and Practices

2. State Regulation and Governance of Reproductive Bodies

3. Navigating Gender, Race, Class and Migration: Intersectionality and Injustice in Reproductive Journeys

4. Obstetric Violence and Alternatives

5. Care Providers in Reproductive Decision-Making and Beyond

6. Mothering & Not Mothering: A Reproductive & Life Choice?

7. Environmental Injustices in Reproductive Journeys

8. Decolonizing Reproductive Care: Past & Present Dialogues

Please refer to the attached pdf document for further details on each thematic strand and the conference aims.

Submission Guidelines 

The organizing committee has identified eight thematic strands for the conference. We are honored to host traditional, autonomous, professional midwives and doulas, alongside renowned international speakers who will be contributing to the first six strands of this five-day event. While proposals are welcome across all eight strands, we will give priority to external submissions addressing the final two strands, and encourage submissions that engage with queer and LGBTQ+ perspectives on reproductive journeys. In addition to individual paper submissions, applicants are invited to propose panel discussions (comprising 3 to 4 speakers), or suggest additional thematic strands they feel would enrich the conference. Each proposal will be carefully peer reviewed by the scientific committee, with attention to its relevance and contribution to the selected or proposed strand. 

We also welcome creative and non-traditional formats, and encourage participation from non-academic presenters, including practitioners, artists, and activists whose work intersects with reproductive care. Submissions can include individual or collective presentations, as well as workshops. Artists interested in exhibiting their work during the event are invited to contact the organizers at birthingmotheringandothering@gmail.com. 

To promote accessibility and decentralize knowledge production beyond Euro-North American contexts, online presentations are accepted. We are committed to accommodating time zone differences when organizing the program. While English will serve as the main language of interaction for practical reasons, the event is co-organized with Mexican scholars, and Spanish translation will be available. Therefore, abstracts may be submitted in either English or Spanish, though most presentations will be delivered primarily in English with punctual translation support where needed.

All proposals must be submitted through the online submission form on the Sciencesconf website https://reproduction.sciencesconf.org

by June 30, 2025.

Notifications of acceptance will be sent to the designated presenters by the end of July.

Each proposal may be submitted to only one thematic strand. Participants may submit either one individual paper (as a sole or co-presenter) or one workshop proposal. However, individuals may also appear as co-presenters on other submissions.

Submission Options

• Option 1: Independent paper (1 to 3 presenters per paper)

Submissions should include the name, affiliation (if relevant), and email address of the corresponding presenter, along with the names, affiliations (if relevant), and email addresses of any co-presenters. Please also provide short biographies for each presenter (maximum 50 words), an abstract (up to 300 words — bibliography excluded) and specify the presentation title and up to five keywords. Kindly note whether the presentation will be delivered online or in person and indicate whether a visa will be required. 

• Option 2: Panel discussion (3 to 4 papers per panel)

The same requirements apply as for individual papers; however, for panel discussions, please also include a panel title and a separate abstract (up to 150 words, excluding bibliography) for each panelist.   

• Option 3: Workshop (1 to 3 facilitators)

Same requirements as for option 1. Workshops must be conducted in person.

Scientific Committee

• Clara Devlieger, Selma Mouchel & Irene Maffi (University of Lausanne)
• Frances Hasso (Duke University)
• Georgina Sánchez-Ramírez, Karina Atayde (ECOSUR)
• Paola Sesia (CIESAS)
• Camila Pastor (CIDE)
• Jocelyn Leyva Santoyo & Joana Michel-Costa
• Colline Léonard (EHESS)
• Paula Cristofalo (EHESP)
• Alicia Márquez Murrieta (Instituto Mora)