Children, Emotions, and Relations

The organisers invite participants to explore the intersection of childhood, emotions, attachments, and social relationships to uncover how children in past societies experienced and influenced their worlds. Childhood in both ancient and recent past was shaped by complex emotional landscapes and relational dynamics, leaving traces in the archaeological and historical record, such as toys, burial sites, household artefacts, and various historical sources. We encourage presentations or posters to consider how care and attachments, or the lack thereof, played a role in the well-being of children. We also warmly welcome contributions that are not directly tied to the study of emotional and other relationships.

Confirmed keynote speakers: Kaisa Vehkalahti (University of Jyväskylä, Finland)

Please submit an abstract for a podium or poster presentation (max 200 words) to organiser Dr Sanna Lipkin (sanna.lipkin@oulu.fi) by 15th January 2025.

Host Department: Archaeology, University of Oulu