Thematic Groups

In an effort to stay connected between conferences, to facilitate networking (particularly for junior scholars), and to exchange information and inspire research collaboration among our diverse groups of scholars, IAFFE has established thematic groups. Thematic groups are a common practice in academic associations. They bring members together who share common research interests, or other concerns such as pedagogical methods or policy advocacy. Thematic groups will institutionalize the more informal networking that takes place already and have the potential to contribute to IAFFE’s strategic goals of rejuvenating and broadening the membership. Members would be empowered to organize and take research initiatives within IAFFE that are meaningful to them. Members could join as many as they would like, elect co-chairs to lead the group, and decide on how they would like the group to evolve.

The following thematic groups and subtopics have been provided as a starting point.

  • CARE ECONOMY AND UNPAID WORK -- Caring labor  |  Time-use surveys  |  Household expenditures  |  Same sex and lone mother families  |  Sexuality and reproduction  |  Food/clean water/sanitation access  |  Family and social policy
  • ENVIRONMENT
  • FEMINIST THEORY AND ECONOMICS -- Methods and argument  |  History of thought  |  Feminist theories
  • LABOR MARKETS -- Stratification  |  Employment & labor force participation  |  Wage outcomes: wage gap, wage discrimination  |  Firm performance  |  Labor market policies  |  Informal labor  |  Time stress
  • LAND, AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
  • LGBTQ ECONOMIC ISSUES
  • INCOME POVERTY AND CAPABILITY DEPRIVATIONS -- Income, poverty and capability deprivations  |  Migration  |  Microfinance  |  Rights--international human rights and national  |  Capabilities based evaluations of outcomes (including index measures)  |  Assets  |  Education  |  Conflict/warfare  |  Environmental degradation and climate crisis
  • MACROECONOMIC CONTEXT -- Crises  |  Trade structure  |  Financialization  |  Gender budgeting  |  Macroeconomics policies and outcomes - gender mainstreaming  |  International institutions

We recognize that there are numerous overlaps between these groups, as well as cross-cutting themes (such as the capabilities approach and the history of economic thought) and specific issues (such as migration and the environment) that are not mutually exclusive and could be addressed under any of them. There are also surely other themes we have not identified, and we welcome your feedback and proposals for further groups as the goal is to make these thematic groups dynamic and open to the interests of the membership.