Motherhood in post-1968 European Literature Network

At a time of changing family demographics across Europe as a consequence of changing family patterns, new reproductive technologies, mass migration, hybridisation of identities, and increasing precariousness of employment, it is imperative to explore the potential of a cross-disciplinary dialogue for the production of a new discourse on motherhood. Feminist analyses have shown that motherhood is best treated as an interdisciplinary field, and autobiographical and fictional writing by women offer distinctive perspectives, but, although literature specialists draw on work from a range of disciplines, the reverse is rare. The Motherhood in post-1968 European Literature Network aims to change this situation by initiating, in a specifically European context, cross-cultural, transnational and interdisciplinary dialogue on motherhood, in which the study of literature is integrated. It will bring together researchers engaged in studying motherhood in individual contemporary European literatures with researchers and practitioners working on motherhood from philosophy, psychoanalysis, sociology, ethnography, politics and law as well as art and film studies. By means of a series of workshops, online resources and activities, readings, and a major conference and exhibition, the Network will explore how representations and narratives of motherhood in contemporary women-authored literatures engage with current socio-political, psychological and legal discourses. The Network will generate an edited book publication, as well as ongoing online resources and other forms of knowledge transfer dissemination, such as an anthology of literature, media activity, and social networking. The ultimate aims of the Network are: 1. to contribute the as-yet-absent insights drawn from literary studies to policy studies of motherhood in the EU; 2. to lead to a better understanding of the relationship between literature and society; 3. to develop a major pan-European cross-disciplinary funding application.

The Network itself aims to explore and elucidate the social impact of studying literary treatments of motherhood and so, at this stage, the impact summary can only be partial. Potential non-academic beneficiaries of the Network are:

a. Policy-makers - organisations and institutions, e.g:
- Family Platform, consortium of 12 organisations (inc. social scientists, policy-makers, social organisations) working on family life and policy across Europe, and providing input into the EU's socio-economic and humanities research agenda on Family Research and Family Policies;
- Eurofund, an EU foundation for the improvement of living and working conditions in relation to specific areas of EU policy;
- Institute for Family Policy, which develops synergies between family organisations internationally to increase awareness of policy and decision makers on family issues;
- European Economic and Social Committee, an integral part of the EU's decision-making process;
- Members of the European Parliament, including Baroness Sarah Ludford, Liberal Democrat MEP for London, spokeswoman for European justice and human rights, and active on anti-racism, sexuality, and diversity, including recognising diversity in families.

b. Charities, e.g.:
- The Family and Parenting Institute, a charity that aims to influence family policy and to make society more family friendly;
- Family Action, which supports disadvantaged and socially isolated families;
- National Childbirth Trust, which supports people through life-changing experiences of pregnancy, birth and early parenthood;
- Parenting UK, which supports professional practitioners working with parents and informs policy makers.

c. Practitioners, e.g.:
- those working with mothers and families: social workers, psychologists, psychoanalysts, health workers, activists, etc;
- school and college teachers;
- community groups, e.g. Mumsnet online community and campaigning group;
- cultural practitioners: authors, artists, filmmakers, photographers, etc.
- reading groups;
- creative writing groups.

d. General public

Literature is much more than a partial reflection of reality. It can open up new ways of thinking. Literary narratives and representations of motherhood - whether autobiographical or fictional (or varying degrees in between) - offer access to inner fears and fantasies, those of mothers themselves or those concerning them. Literary techniques offer ways of expressing intimate feelings and experiences, which may otherwise be inexpressible. For example, metaphor and fantasy may convey in a new way what it feels like to be pregnant, to give birth, or (as Trauma Studies have shown) to lose a child, or even to kill one. Literature can stimulate thinking; it may challenge or subvert normative discourse. It reflects upon issues of the day and it can provoke new ways of thinking about everyday problems. The kinds of insight gained from the study of literary representations and narratives of motherhood have the potential to inform understandings of motherhood and maternal subjectivity. It is anticipated that the work will be of interest to family and cultural practitioners, as well as to the general public.
The social impact and knowledge transfer agenda of the Network will be facilitated through non-academic forms of dissemination (as described in detail in the Pathways to Impact attachment), including an exhibition, a virtual reading group, an anthology of literature, media interviews, social network groups and blogs. Ultimately, the aim is to constitute and establish the Network, to develop its sphere of influence, and to refine its methodologies in order to apply for funding for a broader-based and more ambitious pan-European project, designed to impact on social policy and to improve ways in which societies think about motherhood and governments legislate for - rather than ag