The effect of work on different generations and members of the modern family, the influence of social class on family life and the development of ‘family friendly’ policies will be among the topics to be discussed at a meeting of the British Sociological Association's (BSA) Family Studies Group on Thursday 26 October.
Hosted by the University of Aberdeen, this will be first time that the event has been held outside of the south-east of England.
Local organiser, John Galilee, a Research Fellow in the University’s Department of Management Studies said: “This meeting will be of particular interest to all those who have an interest in how work impacts on family life, from social scientists to human resources professionals.
“We are particularly pleased that the BSA has decided to hold the meeting here as the is one of the first events organised to celebrate the organisation’s 50th anniversary. This University has had strong links with the Association over the past 30 years. For example, in 1974, the Association held its Annual Conference here on the theme of ‘Sexual Divisions in Society’. That Conference has been internationally recognised as being a key event within the history of sociology, primarily because it was one of the first occasions when sexual divisions were discussed collectively from a sociological perspective.”
A number of key speakers are participating in the meeting:
* Dr Pia Christensen of the University of Hull will talk on “Why more ‘Quality time’ is not on the top of children’s lists: The ‘qualities of time’ content and contexts”
* Peter Seaman of the MRC (John – is that Medical Research Council Unit) in Glasgow will focus on “Teenagers, Health and work/family life”
*“North-East Scotland fishing communities and family life” will be the subject of Dr Gillian Munroe of the University of Aberdeen’s Arkleton Centre for Rural Development Research
* Professor Charlie Lewis, Lancaster University, will lead the discussion on “Fathers and family life”
* “Regaining a Sense of Self: Women, Motherhood and Returning to Work” is the subject of a presentation by Tina Miller, Oxford Brookes University
*Dr Jeff Hyman of Glasgow Caledonian University will bring the meeting to a close with a paper on “’Family Friendly’ work policies”
A number of the speakers will be available for telephone interview in advance of the event.
The meeting takes place in the Linklater Rooms on the King’s College Campus. Registration is from 10.00am and the meeting begins at 10.30am. The fee for non-BSA members is £10.00.
Further information from:
John Galilee, University of Aberdeen, Department of Management Studies, Tel: 01224 273235
Christine Cook, Executive Director of Public Relations, Tel: 01224 272014
University Press Office on telephone +44 (0)1224-273778 or email a.ramsay@admin.abdn.ac.uk.