Composing with Spielrein:
Understanding Contemporary Childhoods
International interdisciplinary conference
September 1-2, 2026
in person at the University of Essex (UK) and online
Call for Papers is now OPEN:
Abstracts (100 words) should be sent to ana.tomcic@essex.ac.uk by February 10, 2026.
Registration is now OPEN!
The conference explores the extraordinary thinking of Sabina Spielrein, acknowledging and developing her pioneering legacy in the world of psychoanalysis and Childhood Studies.
Papers should integrate Spielrein’s ideas and concepts into your own field of interest in new, innovative ways, addressing its relevance to the multifaceted field of Childhood Studies. Our ambition is to create new avenues of enquiry and lay the ground for new contributions to knowledge, based on Spielrein’s ideas.
We plan to publish the conference contributions in an edited volume in the first issue of a new Psycho-Social Studies journal hosted by the Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies at the University of Essex.
Fields under consideration:
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Relational Psychoanalysis
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Biology and evolutionary science
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Psychosocial Studies
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Language and Child Development
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Sociology of Childhood
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Gender and Drives
The conference is organized by the Centre of Childhood Studies, Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies at the University of Essex, in collaboration with the International Association for Spielrein Studies and the International Psychoanalytic University Berlin.
Given that our conference is primarily aimed at exploring Spielrein’s contemporary relevance, applicants do not necessarily need to have prior familiarity with Spielrein’s work.
Keynote speakers:
Fátima Caropreso
Katalin Nóra Faluvégi
John Launer
Klara Naszkowska
Esther Rapoport
Ana Tomčić
Renata Udler Cromberg
Early-Bird Pricing (until February 27, 2026):
Student Concession fee for online attendance: £100.00
Student Concession fee for in-person attendance (including Gala Dinner): £145.00
General Admission for online attendance: £145.00
General Admission for in-person attendance (including Gala Dinner): £215.00