Call for Papers by June 1: Being Young in World War One

This international conference examines the effects of the First World War on children and young people, and its social and psychological legacies.

6-7 November 2015, Manchester Metropolitan University

Growing up in a period of conflict had an immense impact on the young. There were deep fears and anxieties, but also freedoms and opportunities. For some, the costs were relationships traumatised by separation and the death or injury of family members and friends. For others, school lives were disrupted, adult supervision relaxed and wages rose as a result of labour shortage. Some were caught up in the military excitements of war and enlisted as boy soldiers; others protested and took part in strike action. The image of the child became a potent figure in propaganda and patriotic parades and performances, while war themes became a popular theme in juvenile literature.

This conference encourages papers and contributions which reflect the flourishing scholarship of the past two decades on youth and childhood during the First World War.  All disciplines welcome.

Possible topics include, but are not limited to:

• children’s perceptions of war
• children and youth in propaganda
• toys, play and games
• fear and separation
• absence or death of fathers
• juvenile delinquency
• adolescent and children’s literature
• youth organisations
• families
• patriotism
• strikes and political protests
• consumption and spending
• working youth and employment
• sexual behaviour
• food and food production
• contributing to the war effort
• schooling
• refugees
• citizenship
• emotional legacies
• underage soldiers
• health

Please send abstracts of up to 300 words, along with a short biography, to Dr Fiona Cosson, f.cosson@mmu.ac.uk by 1st June 2015 (extended deadline).

Conference Organisers: Professor Melanie Tebbutt, Dr Fiona Cosson, Dr Marcus Morris, Dr Rebecca Andrew and Dr Sam Edwards at Manchester Metropolitan University.

This conference is supported by the Manchester Centre for Regional History and the Manchester Centre for Youth Studies at Manchester Metropolitan University, and organised as part of the AHRC World War One Centre: Voices of War and Peace.