February 19, 2021 | News | Call for Papers

Pandemic Babies? The Covid-19 Pandemic and Its Impact on Fertility and Family Dynamics

• Date of Event: December 13, and 14, 2021
• Submissions Deadline: August 1, 2021

The Covid-19 pandemic is affecting childbearing and family processes around the globe. First studies have documented changes in couples’ fertility plans and work division within the household, or predict fertility declines in high-income countries based on now-casting methods. Yet, the pandemic’s impact on fertility, partnering, and family dynamics is rapidly evolving and remains the subject of much speculation.

This conference aims at bringing together scholars who examine fertility and family change in times of the Covid-19 pandemic. We invite submissions that document fertility and family trends, investigate their causes and correlates, place them into established or novel theoretical contexts, or use new data sources or methods to illuminate or predict such trends. We are particularly interested in research which connects potential fertility and family change to the multitude of other societal and epidemiological developments occurring at this time.

The conference will take place on the 13th & 14th of December 2021 at Harnack House in Berlin, Germany.
We are planning an in-person meeting with a hybrid/virtual presentation option if the pandemic situation permits. If necessary, the conference will take place fully virtually.

We invite you to submit extended abstracts (2-4 pages) or full papers. Please send all submissions to pandemicbabies@demogr.mpg.de by August 1st 2021. Any conference-related inquiries may also be directed to pandemicbabies@demogr.mpg.de. Submitters will be notified about selection decisions by August 31st 2021. We look forward to receiving your submissions.

Organizing Committee

• Aiva Jasilioniene 
• Susie Lee 
• Mikko Myrskylä 
• Jessica Nisen 
• Natalie Nitsche 
• Joshua Wilde

Participants are expected to seek their own funding for travel and lodging. IMPRS-PHDS will reimburse travel and housing expenses for participating IMPRS-PHDS students. Meals at Harnack House during the conference will be covered by the organisers. A limited amount of financial support for participation is available for junior scientists or scientists from low or middle-income countries, but will be awarded on a competitive basis. Please indicate the request for such funding at the time of abstract submission.

Download Call for Papers (PDF File, 111 kB)