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Carework Network

Carework is one of the Center for Women & Work's Core Research areas. The Carework Network is grateful for their institutional support in hosting and promoting the work of the Carework Network.

The Carework Network is an international organization of researchers, policymakers, and advocates involved in various domains of care work. Based in the social sciences, individuals from all academic disciplines and advocacy organizations who take various approaches to the study of care work and care work policy are invited to participate in the Carework Network.

The Carework Network is an international organization of researchers, policymakers, and advocates involved in various domains of care work. Based in the social sciences, individuals from all academic disciplines and advocacy organizations who take various approaches to the study of care work and care work policy are invited to participate in the Carework Network.

At this time, the network does not have an official membership list or dues structure. Participation is through the listserv, Facebook page, and conferences and events. The governance of the network rests in a national steering committee.

Carework research and policy focus on the caring work of individuals, families, communities, paid caregivers, social service agencies, and state bureaucracies, and ask important questions about such matters as:

  • how women's labor force participation has affected the nature and scope of women's and men's caring work;
  • how identities influence carework;
  • how inequality based on gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, and other factors relates to caring;
  • how caring work is recognized and compensated;
  • how various state welfare policies the distribution of carework;
  • and whether and to what extent citizens have a right to receive, and a duty to provide, care.

COVID-19: Carework Network responds with launch of new website

The Carework Network is an international organization of researchers, policymakers, and advocates involved in various domains of care work.  The current COVID-19 pandemic has shone a spotlight on paid and unpaid care being provided across the globe. During this critical period of COVID-19, the lives of individuals and entire societies have been upended as we confront a long-standing care crisis that presents unforeseen challenges as well as opportunities to envision better ways of organizing care.

During this critical period, the Network was compelled to launch ‘Carework Network Responds’ – a virtual hub to:

  • Participate in and help shape the public dialogue around care;
  • Create awareness of challenges, social policy, and best practices;
  • Extend access to the large body of existing feminist research relating to care, and how it intersects with inequalities;
  • Facilitate research collaborations; and
  • Inform activism related to paid and unpaid care

In highlighting transformational responses to COVID-19 our website includes carework in the news, upcoming events, highlighting what we know and what we are learning. Visitors to the site can also get in touch with members of the Network to learn more.

We anticipate that this site will be of use to all those interested in carework, including care workers themselves, researchers, policymakers and advocates.

To find out more, visit the Carework Network Responds website today.

To join ongoing discussions at the cutting edge of carework research and policy, please contact Darcie Boyer by email: Darcie_Boyer@uml.edu with your name, affiliation and email to subscribe to the Carework Network listserv.

Find the Carework Network on Facebook.