BIOSFER Conference
Fertility, Childlessness, and Reproductive Aging: Bio-social Perspectives
the ERC Synergy BIOSFER project
Villa Vigoni, Menaggio, Italy, September 15–17, 2025
Call for Papers
We invite submissions for the upcoming conference (September 15-17, 2025) Fertility, Childlessness, and Reproductive Aging: Bio-social Perspectives at Villa Vigoni, Menaggio, Italy. This interdisciplinary event will bring together scholars to discuss the interplay between biological and social factors shaping reproductive outcomes for women and men, and its implications in the context of low fertility. The conference is a joint event with the ERC Synergy BIOSFER project, which investigates how social, biological and psychological factors work together to produce the observed patterns, levels and variation in fertility among young adults.
We welcome contributions that address the following themes:
- Fertility Trends and Childlessness: Determinants and consequences, shifting reproductive norms, and voluntary vs. involuntary childlessness.
- Reproductive Aging: The biological and social dimensions and implications of changing reproductive functions across the life course, in both men and women.
- Socio-Economic Differences: How socio-demographic factors (e.g. income, education, employment) and social policies shape reproductive decisions and fertility outcomes.
- Male and Female Perspectives on Fertility: The role of gender and couple dynamics in fertility experiences and reproductive decision-making.
- Clinical and Epidemiological Insights: Advances in reproductive medicine, fertility preservation, and medical interventions related to subfecundity, infertility, and reproductive aging.
We encourage submissions for oral and poster presentations from a range of disciplines such as demography, sociology, epidemiology, public health and reproductive medicine. Empirical, theoretical, and policy-oriented papers are welcome. Please submit your work via this survey by April 30th 2025. The final decisions on acceptance will be sent out by the end of May.
There are no registration fees, and all meals during the stay will be covered by the event organizers. Please note that you will have to cover your own travel expenses to Villa Vigoni and accommodation expenses (110 EUR per night). Limited financial support for the accommodation is available for junior scientists who could otherwise not participate.
A group shuttle transfer from Milan-Malpensa, Linate Airport or Como train station to Villa Vigoni and back will be offered free of charge. Detailed information on pick-up times will be provided later.
Organizing Committee:
Prof. Mikko Myrskylä | Prof. Alice Goisis | Dr. Susie Lee | Dr. Alessandro Di Nallo | Dr. Zafer Büyükkeçeci | Dr. Martin Flatø | Katja Dahl Horsfeldt | Susanne Otto
Contact
If you have any questions about the event, please e-mail biosfer@demogr.mpg.de.