The Reproduction and Speculative Futures conference (October 2024) explored how speculative fiction addresses reproduction, pregnancy, and birth, focusing on themes including environmental crises, technology, and law, alongside feminist, queer, and anti-colonial politics.

Keynote speaker Heather Latimer examined dystopian fiction, highlighting its critique of colonialism and reproductive control while advocating for community-based futures.

Panels delved into cloning, reproductive technologies, and legal contexts. Discussions covered parthenogenesis, trans-feminist reproductive justice, eco-dystopias, and the politics of reproductive rights.

Presentations on speculative fiction and fantasy explored themes like gendered violence, parental rights, and ecological anxieties.

The roundtable showcased interdisciplinarity within the Future of Human Reproduction project. Scholars from design, philosophy, literature, law, and psychology discussed how speculation fosters new ideas, with examples ranging from design innovation to thought experiments and legal frameworks. They also addressed risks, like public misinterpretation of speculative scenarios, and highlighted the role of literary and speculative tools in expanding academic and public engagement.

Together, the conference and roundtable painted an exciting picture of how storytelling and interdisciplinary collaboration can illuminate the complexities of reproductive technologies and inspire fresh perspectives on our collective future.

This event took place over two days, with the first day held in person at Lancaster University and the second day conducted online.

For more details, PhD students in the English Literature and Creative Writing department at Lancaster University, Jake Street and Lucy Davies, have authored a Reproduction and Speculative Futures Conference Report.