FATHERS NETWORK SCOTLAND & PARTNERS
Our sell-out Year of the Dad Conference took place on Friday 12th February 2016 at the University of Edinburgh. You can catch up on sessions you missed, or refresh your memory, by clicking the text and audio links below. Or browse the full conference programme here.
As part of the first ever Year of the Dad in Scotland this conference aimed to create a day of reflection, dialogue and stimulation for academics, policy-makers and practitioners.
We celebrated the positive contribution fathers make to children, families, communities and society as a whole.
After an overview of families and fathers in Britain, there were four simultaneous streams of conversations: what children need from fathers; what mothers want from fathers; what fathers need at work; and what fathers need in adversity. The afternoon session reflected on these streams and their recommendations, and considered their contribution to Year of the Dad in 2016.
MORNING SESSION (9.30am)
Listen to Audio (mp3) / See presentation slides (pdf)
Welcome
Sam Pringle, Head of Research, Fathers Network Scotland
David Drysdale, CEO, Fathers Network Scotland
Aileen Campbell MSP, Minister for Children and Young People
Families in Scotland
Presentation - Lynn Jamieson, Professor of Sociology, University of Edinburgh and Co-Director Families and Relationships CRFR
The changing role of fatherhood in Britain
Presentation - Margaret O’Brien, Director of the Thomas Coram Research Unit, University College London
CONVERSATION STREAMS (11.15am)
What do mothers want from fathers?
Listen to Audio (mp3) / Read text summary (pdf) / See presentation slides (pdf)
Negotiating the domestic contract: how to make your partner an equal partner - Tina Miller, Professor of Sociology, Oxford Brookes
Men can do it - Gideon Burrows, Author of Men Can Do It
What do mothers want? - Liz Meenagh, Women for Independence
Chaired discussion - Stuart Valentine, CEO, Relationships Scotland
What do fathers need at work?
Listen to Audio (mp3) / Read text summary (pdf) / See presentation slides (pdf)
Parental leave in Iceland – how does it work? - Ingolfur Gislason, Professor in Sociology, University of Iceland
The Price of Love - Caroline Gatrell, Professor of Management Studies, Lancaster University Management School
Making the most of workplace entitlements - Alison Koslowski, Senior Lecturer in Social Policy, University of Edinburgh
Chaired discussion - Sarah Jackson, CEO, Working Families
What do children need from fathers? 
Listen to Audio (mp3) / Read text summary (pdf) / See presentation slides (pdf)
What children want from dads - Colin Morrison, Co-Director, Children’s Parliament
Making school dad-friendly – Tim Porteous, Dads Co-ordinator, Midlothian Sure Start; Alison Cameron, Deputy Head, Prestonpans Infant school; Chris Wilson, Teacher, Prestonpans Infant school
What children say they want from dads - Gary Clapton, Senior Lecturer in Social Work, University of Edinburgh
Chaired discussion - Sarah Morton, Co-Director, CRFR
What do fathers in adversity need?
Listen to Audio (mp3) / Read text summary (pdf) / See presentation slides (pdf)
How can non-resident dads stay connected? - Sarah Rogers, Children in Scotland
Lone fathers - Brock Lueck, Senior Children and Fathers Worker, One Parent Families Scotland
Mellow dads - Alan McMaster, Mellow Dads Co-ordinator, Mellow Parenting
Chaired discussion - Paul Bradshaw, Group Head of Research, ScotCEN
NETWORKING LUNCH (12.45pm)
Stands and poster exhibition (click below for poster pdfs)
Aimee McCullough, PhD student, University of Edinburgh
Brian Gallagher, Doctoral Researcher, Glasgow Caledonian University
Alexandra Macht, Dept of Sociology, University of Edinburgh
Karen Mackay, NHS Highland Infant feeding and Peer Support Service
Chris Miezitis, Family Nurture Co-ordinator (Family Nurture Approach), Fife Council
Hannah McInnes-Dean, PhD student, University of Edinburgh
Jessica Moran, Student, University of Edinburgh
Kirsten Patterson, Programme Assistant, Mellow Parenting
Raquib Ibrahim, Mellow Bumps Project Co-Ordinator, Mellow Parenting
Sarah Landale, PhD student, Glasgow Calledonian University
Sarah Rogers, PhD Student, University of Edinburgh
Susannah Johnston, Research Assistant, University of Edinburgh
Susie Heywood, Health Improvement Senior, Glasgow City CHP
Victoria Earley, PhD student, University of Sheffield
Haven Circle
AFTERNOON SESSION (1.30pm)
Listen to Audio (mp3) / See presentation slides (pdf)
Welcome back
Sam Pringle and special guests The Loud Poets (watch them here or below on YouTube)
What’s good for families?
Feedback on conversation streams by chairs - Stuart Valentine, Sarah Jackson, Sarah Morton, Paul Bradshaw
Now what?
Reflections on the Day from audience and panel Margaret O’Brien, Lynn Jamieson and Gary Clapton
Closing – Sam Pringle