CALL FOR PAPERS for the VII International Conference “Social Boundaries of Work. Critical Labour Studies in the Times of a Polycrisis”

The Department of the Sociology of Work and Economic Sociology at the Institute of Sociology of the University of Wrocław, the Sociology of Work Section of the Polish Sociological Association, the Wrocław branch of the Polish Sociological Association, the Critical Labour Studies Network and the Research Committee 44 “Labour Movements” of the International Sociological Association invite you to participate in the international conference entitled “Social Boundaries of Work. Critical Labour Studies in the Times of a Polycrisis“, to be held in Wrocław on 16-18 October 2024. The deadline for abstracts submission is March 1, 2024.

The conference is dedicated to analysing the relationship between academia and the world of work in the context of overlapping and reinforcing socio-economic crises. The COVID-19 pandemic was not only a profound crisis of public health, but also of public services and the social security systems which have been under pressure for years from neoliberal reforms. The escalation of armed conflicts in Europe as a result of Russia’s full-scale attack on Ukraine only exacerbated the refugee movements that had been underway for years. The post-pandemic reality is also marked by a cost-of-living crisis that has deepened existing social inequalities and the impoverishment of many groups of workers.

In this conference, they want to look at the interplay of between the worlds of academia and labour under the conditions of the polycrisis outlined above. Applications from both academics and social practitioners representing trade unions, labour movements but also employers’ organisations are encouraged. Those representing the labour journalism circles community are also welcome to participate.

Deadlines and practical information

• Until 1st of March 2024  – abstracts submissions via the conference form (please include: name and affiliations of referees, affiliations, email, title of paper, abstract (250-500 words) – please use the form: https://forms.gle/ufR2YxjtLcXUQZzh8
• 15 April 2024  – announcement of the list of accepted abstracts (evaluation is made by the organising committee and the conference scientific council)
• 31 May 2024 – deadline for payment of the conference fee