The 2014 Annual Conference  on  the theme of Home Fronts Gender War and Conflict was held at the University of Worcester

Here is one attendee’s report – ‘With the good fortune to attend with a bursary for volunteers at local archives I found the WHN conference both stimulating and enjoyable. The variety and depth of subject matter both in terms of chronology and situation was wide-ranging. The first keynote launched the conference perfectly by raising issues of gender stereotyping and dislocation which recurred in parallel sessions, citing examples from Greece in the C5th BC  to the C21st AD. Themes included the inversion of cultural norms during warfare or siege, exemplified by the need to fill gaps in labour usually filled by the absent men; the expectation that women would passively return to their previously limited sphere of work after war; and the examination of concepts of female courage in times of war. Equally valuable were the conversation with other delegates which proved both timely and productive.  Thankyou to the organisers for the good organisation (and good food), and for thinking of volunteers from local archives – what a great idea.

Tea during the trip to Stanbrook Abbey on Sunday afternoon