Discourses on motherhood – past and present. Interdisciplinary reflections
Date: June 16, 2026
Organizers:
University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn
Venue: Faculty of Theology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, ul. Hozjusza 15, Poland
Online: app Google Meet
Invitation
The Faculty of Theology at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn invites you to participate in the 10th International Familiology Symposium entitled Discourses on Motherhood – Past and Present. Interdisciplinary Reflections. The conference is a regular academic event devoted to the issues of marriage and family, and this year’s jubilee edition emphasizes the continuity and significance of this long-standing series of academic meetings. For years, this event has been bringing together researchers representing various disciplines, fostering in-depth dialogue and academic cooperation. The jubilee edition of the conference is an important opportunity to summarize the achievements to date and to set new directions for research conducted by specialists in the fields of family studies, theology, history, psychology, economics, philosophy, and religious studies, among others, using diverse methodological and source perspectives.
Motherhood – along with its accompanying practices and attributed meanings – is one of the key issues in contemporary social and scientific debates. Its interpretations are diverse, often contradictory, and sometimes a source of tension and conflict, which is clearly evident in current public discussions. The aim of the conference is to provide an interdisciplinary reflection on discourses on motherhood – both historical and contemporary – rooted in cultural practices and discourses in various fields of science.
We invite you to join us in reflecting on, among other things:
· changes in patterns of motherhood and social expectations of mothers,
· the evolution and (r)evolution of motherhood from a historical and contemporary perspective,
· alternative models of motherhood and the redefinition of the role of the mother,
· feminist and critical approaches to motherhood,
· cultural and social narratives about motherhood in diverse geographical and cultural contexts,
· historical and contemporary representations of motherhood in literature, art, film, and popular culture,
· motherhood in social media and digital communication,
· disputes and controversies surrounding motherhood, including issues of abortion, perinatal care, combining motherhood with professional work, and diverse parenting styles.
The thematic scope of the conference remains open—we encourage reflections that go beyond the proposed areas and fit in with the interdisciplinary nature of the event. We look forward to interesting presentations and fruitful discussion. We invite researchers to participate in the symposium, hoping that it will allow for deeper reflection on the interdisciplinary approach to motherhood.
Important information: those interested in participating in the conference are requested to complete the application form and send it to the organizers in electronic form by April 15, 2026, to the following address: ewelina.maczka @ uwm.edu.pl.