Exploring Childhood Studies in the Global South: Africa in Focus

Over the last 20 years or so childhood studies has grown significantly, especially within Europe and North America. However, although a number of theoretical and methodological publications have been produced situated within this field, very few of these studies focus on childhood in the global south. Instead, the majority of studies that focus on the global south have been empirical, often situated within theoretical frameworks that have been developed in the global North. As a result, while there are numerous empirical-based studies on the lived experiences of children’s lives within this context, there remains a distinct absence of the global south in the theorising and methodological discussions that take place about researching childhood from a range of different disciplines. Therefore, the aim of this one-day workshop is, primarily, to explore ways of expanding childhood studies beyond Western Europe and North America both conceptually and methodologically in order to ensure that the priorities and perspectives of childhood studies researchers focusing on Africa and the global south more generally are taken into account in existing paradigms of childhood studies, which draw on a range of disciplinary perspectives.

The workshop will seek to initiate discussion around questions such as:

• What are the key theoretical and methodological issues for childhood researchers focusing on Africa?
• How, if at all, do theoretical, methodological and ethical issues relating to childhood research in the North transfer to various contexts in the Global South with a particular focus on Africa?
• What are the overlaps between issues focused on in the North and the South and how can these be utilised to better represent priorities in the Global South within childhood studies?

Speakers

• Professor Allison James, Department of Sociological Studies/Co-Director of the Centre for the Study of Childhood and Youth, The University of Sheffield. 
• Dr Gina Porter, Senior Research Fellow, Durham University
• Dr Yaw Ofosu-Kusi, Senior Lecturer, Department of Social Studies, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana .

Programme

The day will be divided into two sessions. The morning session will consist of three presentations by Professor Allison James. Dr. Gina Porter and Dr. Yaw Ofosu-Kusi. The afternoon session will allow participants to break out into smaller groups to discuss issues arising from the morning session in greater detail and link the issues to broader perspectives emerging from the Global South more generally.

Places are limited so bookings will be accepted on a first come basis. Please RSVP to Dawn Lessels, [email protected]