WRDTP 14th Annual Conference: Social Science, Care and Hope

Where? The Wave, University of Sheffield.

When? Tuesday June 17th 2025 (see the bottom of this page for a summary of the event programme).

Format? In person only.

Who can attend? PGRs and academics in the social sciences from across the WRDTP Universities (Bradford, Hull, Leeds, Manchester Met, Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam and York), as well as WRDTP alumni. PGRs DO NOT need to be funded by the WRDTP to present and/or attend – all are welcome.

Who can present? Social science PGRs from across the WRDTP.

Keynote speakers? We are delighted to host two internationally renowned keynote speakers, whose work and research practice is invariably infused with an ethics of care and genuine hope:

• Erin McElroy (University of Washington, USA) – co-founder of the anti-eviction mapping project in California and author of Silicon Valley Imperialism.
• Michele Lancione (Polytechnic of Turin, Italy) – co-founder of the Radical Housing Journal, Director of the Beyond Inhabitation lab and author of For a Liberatory Politics of Home.

Synopsis:

This conference seeks to make space for, and reflect upon, care and hope within the social sciences. The present moment is marked by the mobilization of disidentifications characterised by a distinct anti-care, xenophobia and hate among many global elites. This manifests in ongoing geopolitical conflicts and rearrangements, environmental crises, rampant and extractive technocapitalism, the dehumanization of refugees and asylum-seekers, and an increasingly fascist, ableist, patriarchal and anti-social politics within many nations globally. Invariably underpinning these developments are corresponding attacks on established forms of knowledge, which seek to expose the fantasy-laden and mythical content of ideas driving the shift toward illiberalism and fascism. Yet, at the same time, we see inspirational struggles, grassroots collectives and weird alliances forming – despite and against these regressive developments. For example, widespread student-led protests in Serbia since December 2024 are conversely characterised by an ethics of care, solidarity and hope in the (re-)imagining of an alternative politics and future – beyond the nationalism and ethno-religious conflict that have blighted the Balkans for so long. Against this backdrop, a critical, rigorous and connected social science seems more important than ever in countering disinformation and the pernicious, fantasy-laden, anti-knowledge narratives of global elites.

Building on last year’s WRDTP conference theme of inclusive research cultures, we invite abstracts that speak to the broad notions of care and hope within the social sciences. Abstracts may link to this overarching theme and/or to the broad themes of our seven interdisciplinary pathways.  We welcome empirical, theoretical, methodological, policy, practice and activist contributions, be they historical or contemporary in focus. Abstracts might connect to the following, though by no means exhaustive, set of questions:

• What is the role of critical and interdisciplinary social science in the current contemporary moment of “polycrisis”?  
• How can/does your research contribute to the imagination and realisation of a more just, equitable, sustainable and inclusive society?
• How can care and hope be mobilized to counter the prevailing ideas of extraction and expulsion that drive technocapitalism and that predominate globally?
• What role can methodological innovation play in the quest toward a more caring and hopeful social science?
• How might we foster alliances and collaborations built upon critique, care and hope through our research practice and orientation?
• Where can we/social science intervene collectively in offering a more caring futurity within the present context?
• What role can a more historical sensibility within social science play in making sense of the present? Or, how might we counter the drift towards presentism and ahistoricism that so often undergirds fascist narratives and tendencies?

Abstract submission:

Abstracts of a maximum of 200 words should be submitted via the abstract submission form by the deadline of Friday May 16th at 12 noon.  A key priority of this event is to showcase the work of PGRs, so we welcome all submissions.  We have scheduled two pathway panel sessions, and will seek to accommodate all PGR abstracts received. As well as completing the abstract submission form, please note that you will also need to register to attend the conference via Eventbrite.

Poster submission:

To submit to the poster exhibition that will be on display throughout the conference, please complete the poster submission form by the deadline of Friday May 16th at 12 noon. There will be one £50 voucher prize available to win. As well as completing the poster submission form, please note that you will also need to register to attend the conference via Eventbrite.

Conference registration:

Please register to attend the conference via Eventbrite (click the ‘book now’ button below).  The conference is free to attend, and the deadline to register is Tuesday June 10th at 9am.

An inclusive conference:

The WRDTP is committed to making all our events as inclusive and as comfortable as possible for everyone.  Please use the Eventbrite booking form to inform us of any specific needs you have. Alternatively, please email training@wrdtp.ac.uk, and the team will be happy to discuss any specific needs or preferences with you in order to support your participation in the conference.

Image credit:

Graffiti artwork by the street artist Stik. Image taken on Princelet Street, London, June 2024.

This conference will take place in person only at the University of Sheffield.

Bookings will close at 9am on Tuesday 10th June.

When booking, you must use your institutional (.ac.uk) email address and complete all fields of the booking form. Your booking will otherwise be cancelled, and you will need to re-book. Thank you for your understanding.