Call for Papers: Rethinking Poverty, Insecurity and the Cost of Living Crisis in the North West and Beyond
Date: Wednesday 28th June 2023
Location: Liverpool Hope University, Creative Campus
The ongoing cost of living crisis is causing immense stress and hardship for individuals, families, and communities. The price of basic goods and services – food, electricity, fuel – is increasing at a much faster rate than average household wages and benefit increases. Moreover, recent tax changes mean that more people are now experiencing poverty and insecurity, unable to meet their basic everyday needs. Actors from civil society, politicians and academics have demonstrated concern as to the effect this is having at local and national levels, specifically the disproportionate impact on already marginalised and vulnerable groups. Such concern comes from evidence highlighting the impact this crisis is having on people’s physical and mental health and emotional well-being.
In light of this pressing issue, we are organising a conference which aims to bring together researchers, academics, activists, politicians and members of the third sector from across the northwest and beyond to advance knowledge and further understanding of the specific ways in which people are experiencing the cost of living crisis. The conference will thus provide a knowledge exchange/ social partnership platform for researchers and stakeholders working in this area to share their expert opinion on the emergent issues, experiences and wider consequences associated with this crisis. We also seek to understand the different ways in which people are seeking to challenge, re-think and imagine alternatives in the face of this ongoing crisis.
To that end, we encourage submissions relating, but not limited to, the following themes:
• Food provision, food poverty and food insecurity
• Welfare and social security
• Fuel poverty and insecurity
• Debt, financial insecurity and hardship
• Housing insecurity and homelessness
• Social reproduction and care
• Communities and neighbourhoods
• Health and wellbeing
• Forms of solidarity, spaces of resistance and creative approaches towards poverty reduction
Keynote speakers include:
• Claire Donovan (Head of Policy, Research and Campaigns, End Furniture Poverty)
• Heather Jessop (Chief Executive, Citizens Advice Liverpool)
• Professor Kate Pickett (Professor of Epidemiology, University of York)
• Cllr Liam Robinson (Liverpool City Labour Councillor)
Abstract submissions
Abstracts of 250 - 300 words, along with a 100-word biography, should be submitted no later than March 1st, 2023 to costoflivingconf@gmail.com. When sending your abstract, please indicate whether you would like your paper to be considered for publication in an edited volume. In case of any further inquiries, please email costoflivingconf@gmail.com. We welcome submissions from early career researchers, PhD students, established academics, as well as practitioners and activists. Paper presentations will be 20 minutes long. Other forms of submissions, i.e., creative projects, film screenings, etc. should be discussed in advance with the organisers.
The conference will be an in-person event with keynotes and several designated sessions also available in a blended format. We will be asking attendees to pay a small fee to attend the conference in order to cover catering and venue cost:
Early bird (£35/ £20 - Discounted Rate for Students)
Full fee (£45/ £25 - Discounted Rate for Students)
Important dates
30th of January: Call for Papers
1st of March: Deadline for Call of Papers
14th of March: Information about Accepted Papers
30thst of March: Deadline for Early Bird Registration
31st of May: Registration closes
For further information please contact the organisers costoflivingconf@gmail.com
Organising committee:
Dr Natalija Atas, Liverpool Hope University (atasn@hope.ac.uk)
Dr Vicki Dabrowski, Liverpool Hope University (dabrowv@hope.ac.uk)
Tracy Ramsey, Liverpool Hope University (ramseyt@hope.ac.uk)
Natasha Howarth, Liverpool Hope University (howartn@hope.ac.uk)
Dr Vicki Dabrowski, Liverpool Hope University