MaMSIE (Mapping Maternal Subjectivities, Identities and Ethics) is an online interdisciplinary research network based in the Department of Psychosocial Studies at Birkbeck, University of London. MaMSIE endeavours to create a space for critical debates about the maternal, and explore the unique site it occupies at the potent intersection between scientific possibilities, psychosocial practices and cultural representations. In order to further this aim, MaMSIE launched a postgraduate student led blog, in January of this year. Following the success of our initial blog posts on issues from IVF and pregnancy testing to ‘sinful’ mothers in film and television; we are now looking for contributions from other young academics working on the maternal.
We are seeking contributions of between 500 and 1000 words on issues concerned with the maternal from those working across different knowledge and practice communities including feminism, psychoanalysis, gender and sexuality studies, the social sciences, philosophy, visual and performance art and literature. We welcome a range of writing styles and formats, and are looking for blog entries that will stimulate lively scholarly debate. We encourage submissions from graduate students and hope to create a space where people can try out emerging ideas and respond to current issues surrounding the maternal, whether in current affairs, policy, the arts or academia.
The deadline to be considered for the next selection of blog posts is 1st July 2013. Submissions should be sent to Marianna Vargas De Freitas Cruz Leite ( mleite03@mail.bbk.ac.uk) and should include a short biography and contact information. If the piece is selected for entry on the blog, it will undergo some light copy editing and we will also request a photograph of the author to accompany the piece.
Any questions please contact Marianna Vargas de Freitas Cruz Leite at the above address.