Call for Papers
Symposium on Human Evolution and Human Development
University of Notre Dame
McKenna Center for Continuing Education
October 4-6, 2012
Program Chairs: Darcia Narvaez, Psychology, and Agustin Fuentes, Anthropology
Submissions will be accepted until all slots are filled
Submit to: human.nature.early@gmail.com
Notification of acceptance will be on-going
Anthropologists summarize basal evolutionarily relevant characteristics for infants and young children within the small-band hunter-gatherer society (e.g., Hewlett & Lamb, 2005) as including frequent, on-demand breastfeeding for 2-5 years, nearly constant positive touch, multiple adult responsive caregivers within a web of social support for the mother-child dyad, free play with multi-age playmates, as well as natural childbirth. These parenting characteristics are related to optimal development. Only in recent centuries and decades have these practices been altered, perhaps profoundly affecting human wellbeing. The symposium (1) addresses core human patterns rooted in our mammalian and primate heritage and the presumed evolutionary trajectories of our distant ancestors within the framework of culture; (2) focuses on cultural differences in childrearing and their relation to developmental patterns, (3) brings to a wider audience an awareness of the findings about early life experience and its effects on brain structures and functioning over the long term.
The symposium will promote dialogue and interdisciplinary research that integrates analyses of human evolution with ideas and understandings of human development. The program involves primarily invited speakers, including affective neuroscientists, psychologists (clinical, developmental), primatologists, anthropologists, and psychiatrists. The symposium will contribute to a widespread understanding of human evolved capacities, bringing developmental science forward as a leader in helping reverse current negative trends in well-being (e.g., Cicchetti & Thomas, 2008; Panksepp, 2001).
Non-academics will be invited, including policy makers, journalists and practitioners who work with children and families in a variety of fields (e.g., health, childcare) and child advocates. We will ask the researchers to draw implications of their work for the public. Videos, presentation materials, and translational implications will be published at the symposium website afterwards.
The symposium also includes a poster session and a paper session with brief 10-minute presentations. Submit a short abstract (150 words) and a long abstract (up to 250 words) to human.nature.early@gmail.com. Please include your name, address and email. Indicate which you would prefer: poster or a 10-minute presentation. Submitters will be notified on an ongoing basis.
When you submit your proposal, please indicate whether you are a graduate student and would like to be considered for a stipend to assist with the cost of the symposium.
