Law, History and Reproduction

'The legal regulation of reproduction is ever more contested, legislatively, judicially and politically. In this context, what might a turn to the past reveal? And simultaneously, might a thematic focus on reproduction bring fresh insights to legal historical methods and research?

Organised by the Centre for Law and History Research, the workshop on 'Law, History and Reproduction' explores these questions. The workshop is built around 7 work-in-progress articles studying a diverse range of themes — abortion, gender-based violence, social reproduction, obstetric violence and gender recognition — from an array of contexts — Australia, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malta, Pakistan and the United Kingdom.

It is exciting that many of these themes and contexts extend far beyond abortion in the Global North, which is the most common site of study on the role of law in reproduction. The varied examples add richness and nuance to the discussion, pushing the frontiers of current understandings. Hosted at the University of Bristol Law School, home to a critical mass of leading scholars on reproductive regulation, the workshop promises deep contextual study, enhanced insights, and strengthened solidarity.

PROGRAM

10:00-10:30 Coffee and introduction by the organisers

Session 1

10:30 - 11:15 am Dr Angela Kintominas, Faculty of Law & Justice, UNSW Sydney, ‘A Hidden History of Women’s Work: Excavating the Regulation of Reproductive Labour Across Work, Welfare and Migration Legal Regimes in Australia’ (online)

Discussant: Dr Katie Cruz, Law School, University of Bristol.

11:20 - 12:05 pm Francesca Frisone, University of Messina, ‘Defining the indefinable. Obstetric and gynaecological violence in Italy from an historical point of view’

Discussant: Professor John Foot, Department of Italian School of Modern Languages, University of Bristol.

12:10 - 12:55 pm Desi Yunitasari and Devi Yusvitasari, Melbourne Law School ‘Gender-Based Violence and Reproductive Criminalisation: Feminist Interventions in the Legal History of Reproduction in Indonesia’ (online)

Discussant: Dr. Gauri Pillai, Law School, University of Bristol.

Lunch

13:00 - 14:15 pm Lunch at ‘Moltobuono!’ for authors and discussants (Moltobuono 59 Park St, Bristol BS1 5NU)

Session 2

14:15 - 15:00 pm Anisha Aggarwal, Vinoj Manning, Ami Sahgal ‘Do Laws Carry History? A Study of Abortion in the Indian Subcontinent’ (online)

Discussant: Dr Andrea Espinoza Carvajal, Department of Hispanic, Portuguese and Latin American Studies School of Modern Languages, University of Bristol

15:05 - 15:50 pm Dr Kay Crosby, Newcastle University ‘UK Legal Gender Recognition in the 1920s and 1930s’

Discussant: Professor Lois S. Bibbings, Law School, University of Bristol

15:55 - 16:40 pm Dr Andreana Dibben (University of Malta), ‘Repeating the Script: Moral-Legal Discourses, Feminist Mobilisation, and Reproductive Governance in the MAP and Bill 28 processes in Malta’

Discussant: Professor Sally Sheldon, Law School, University of Bristol

16:45 - 17:00 pm Closing remarks by the organisers

Please sign up via the Eventbrite here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/law-history-and-reproduction-tickets-1984962271588?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl