Call for papers: Symposium on Gender, Displacement, and Islamic Philanthropy: Advancing Humanitarian Innovation (University of Birmingham)
We are pleased to invite multi- and inter-disciplinary papers that advance the discourse on gender, displacement, and philanthropy for the Symposium on Gender, Displacement, and Islamic Philanthropy: Advancing Humanitarian Innovation on 8–9 September 2025 at the University of Birmingham. The symposium is hosted by Making Aid Work for Displaced Women project, in collaboration with the Muslim Philanthropy Initiative at Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.
We welcome contributions from a wide range of disciplines, including IR, law, finance and business, sociology, religious studies, refugee and humanitarian studies, international development and beyond. We welcome submissions from early career and senior researchers as well as practitioners.
This timely symposium seeks to mobilize new voices and conceptual resources to build bridges between mainstream humanitarian and philanthropic approaches to women in displacement and humanitarian crises. With global aid cuts deeply affecting humanitarian efforts, it is critical to explore innovative and inclusive approaches to supporting displaced communities.
The symposium will feature three thematic tracks:
- Philanthropic responses to women in humanitarian and forced migration contexts (exploring diverse actors, interventions and law and ethics).
- Women-led philanthropy and humanitarian actions in forced migration.
- Lessons learnt from real-life practical case studies of philanthropic responses to displaced women.
Keynote speakers include:
- Prof. Elena Fiddian-Qasmiyeh (Professor in Migration and Refugee Studies, University College London)
- Dr Khaled Khalifa (Senior Advisor, Representative to the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees – UNHCR)
Submit your abstract here by the 10th of April 2025.
More information is available on our project website and the partner website.