Convenors- Dr. Zuzana Sekeráková Búriková and Dr. Veronika Valkovičová, Institute for Sociology of Slovak Academy of Sciences

Focusing on the relationship among care, control/surveillance, and vulnerability, the aim of this panel is to examine boundaries of care and control/surveillance.

The ethics of care criticises the separation of control (or violence) and care (Held, 2010; Tronto, 2013, 2020). The practice of care tends to imply vulnerability which is not only based on social positioning or marginality, but tends to be situational and relational, which means being vulnerable to someone, or vulnerability in a certain situation. Caring for the vulnerable is often associated with paternalism (Kittay, 1999; Smiley, 2020), which can spill over to manifestations of violence. Thus, various manifestations of power and control are part of the daily practices associated with intimate or professional care relationships and practices. 

We welcome papers which examine boundaries and limits of care focusing on aspects of care involving control, surveillance, and vulnerability. While we welcome papers from any geographical area, authors from outside of Europe are especially encouraged to apply. 

We are interested in papers:

• Discussing dynamics of care and control/surveillance from various theoretical perspectives
• based on empirical cases analysing how control becomes part of care practices and relationships
• focusing on various tools and technologies used for surveillance in care practices
• discussing abuse and violence in professional or intimate care settings and relationships.

Convenor- Aisling Gallagher, Massey University, New Zealand

In the absence of public provision, many governments now rely on the market to meet parental demand for Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC), influenced in large part by the neoliberal belief in the benefits of competition and consumer choice. ECEC as a result has become big business in these markets, with heightened involvement from a host of for-profit, private sector actors and groups over the last twenty years. Much research to date has sought to trace out the impacts of marketisation, noting endemic problems such as high costs for parents, varying quality of care and education for children and often poor remuneration and professionalisation for those who work in the sector.  

Building on existing work, this session seeks to explore the changing contours of advanced ECEC markets, noting in particular the involvement of new actors, practices and technologies in the organisation and delivery of marketised ECEC. Possible presentations may include, but are not limited to, the following topics:

• Processes of corporatisation and financialisation of ECEC, and its impacts on the organisation and delivery of services
• The integration of technology and software in the management, organisation and delivery of ECCE and its impacts
• The interconnections of the ECEC sector with the financial, property and/or investment domains 
• The changing experiences of marketised ECEC for parents, workers and children
• The involvement of new actors in advocacy and policy decision-making around ECEC markets

Convenors – Kate Hamblin and Grace Whitfield, University of Sheffield

Care systems globally have been described as being ‘in crisis’ as populations age and the supply of care is outstripped by demand. Technology is one of the tools proposed by policymakers as a means to increase workforce capacity, save costs and create positive outcomes for those receiving care and support. In this panel, we would like to invite paper submissions that critically reflect on the role of digital technologies within care systems, provision, arrangements and relationships at various levels: macro (policy); meso (practice) and micro (lived experience). Contributions should reflect on the conferences core themes, for example by considering: 

Technology and boundaries: how does technology mediate or create boundaries in care arrangements? For example, how does it alter, shape or facilitate care across distances or borders? How does technology create new divisions and boundaries for those receiving or providing care and support? 

Technology and transitions: what role does technology play in transitions in care at various levels- for individuals as they move through the lifecourse, or organisations or providers as they shift their practice to accommodate digital technologies and systems? 

Technology and crisis contexts: what role has technology played in care arrangements during crisis contexts such as the COVID-19 pandemic or in periods of conflict? What crises or challenges could the increased use of digital technologies bring to care? For example, related to regulation, skills and job quality? 

Convenors – Marjorie Griffin Cohen and Barbara Thiessen for the group Workshop on Care Initiatives (with participants from Canada, USA, Australia & Europe)

This call for papers is for a session that intends to deal with care issues as they are understood and addressed by initiatives or activist groups in different areas. 

The pandemic exposed serious deficiencies in existing care systems, and created new problems, neither of which receive the attention needed in the post-pandemic period. The ‘never again’ that was often expressed as horrors in care were exposed, now seems forgotten. In too many areas, the post-pandemic period continues with many of the same flawed policies of the pre-pandemic period. 

We are looking for papers that examine the following with reference to the activities of care groups: 

• Identify care crises in distinct settings, such as different types of welfare systems, political structures and other aspects that act as a conditioning framework for post-pandemic periods. 
• Examine what makes the post-pandemic period problematic, particularly in light of political changes such as the rise of the ultra-right, the focus on inflation and restrictive budget measures, and aggressive moves to privatize the provision of care. 
• What specific innovative group initiatives are coming out of the pandemic period? What is the focus, and how are people effectively able to work together. What has been the experience with manifestos and care statements? 

The aim of this workshop is to share information to see how can we learn from each other, what are our similarities and differences, relating to different welfare state traditions and what are effective tactics and strategies that work across boundaries.

We welcome proposals and would especially like to encourage people from other areas and groups to join this thematic panel.