'Sisters are doing it for themselves': Women and Informal Port Economies
A two-day conference to be held jointly at the School of History, University of Liverpool, and Merseyside Maritime Museum, 24th and 25th June 2005.
Keynote speakers: Dr Tapio Bergholm, Universities of Helsinki and Joensuu, Finland and Dr Trevor Burnard, Sussex University, UK.
Ports present a particular economic situation for women. Many of the economic opportunities available for women are casual, informal or otherwise hidden from history. In many port cities much of the adult male workforce may be absent for protracted periods of time, leaving women to fend for themselves and their families. At the same time the high influx of sailors, visitors, and pleasure-seekers present many opportunities for women in the service industries.
This conference will examine the ways in which women were both affected by, and contributed to, the port economy. Possible themes might include: the port economy, casualism, types of work and occupations, politics and protest, ethnicity, race, networking, the family, crime and leisure. Workshop and poster sessions will complement the formal papers. Proposals are especially encouraged from post-graduates and those outside the discipline of history. Bursaries will be provided for post-graduates.
Please send proposals of 500-750 words by 31 Nov 2004, and direct enquiries to the organisers: Dr Sari Mäenpää (smaenpaa@liv.ac.uk) or Dr Sheryllynne Haggerty, (sheryllynne@ntlworld.com) School of History, University of Liverpool, 9 Abercromby Square, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, L69 3BX; tel: 0151 794 2435. A small registration fee will be charged except for those attending Saturday only.
Dr Sari Maenpaa
School of History
University of Liverpool
Room 141
9, Abercromby Square
Liverpool L69 3BX
Tel: 0151 7942435