University event to examine impact of contraceptive and abortion pills

Half-day event hosted will bring together academics, service providers and students to discuss the past impact and future effects of pills used to prevent and control pregnancy.

‘Disruptive Technologies? Fertility control pills in the past, present and future’ takes place on Wednesday 20 March and the discussion will cover issues related to the contraceptive pill, the ECP (Emergency Contraceptive Pill), and EMA (Early Medical Abortion).

Speakers include Kent researchers Professor Sally Sheldon and Professor Ellie Lee, Dr Lara Marks, author of Sexual Chemistry: A History of the Contraceptive Pill, British Pregnancy Advisory Service’s Director of External Affairs Clare Murphy, and Dr Goretti Horgan from Ulster University.

The event has been organised by Kent PhD candidate Verity Pooke. Pooke’s research is investigating the impact of risk-aversion on the provision of ECP, and women’s experiences of accessing it.

Commenting on the event she said: ‘Women’s wish to make use of pills to allow them to regulate fertility is part of the story of contraception, but in the here and now this wish is making debates and legal change happen. The so-called “morning after pill” and the “abortion pill” can be thought of as disruptive technologies, and this event gives anyone interested the chance to discuss more about that idea.’

The event is free to attend but those interested in attending must register online via the Eventbrite link. It will start at 12.00 and run until 18.00 and take place in the Moot Room in The Wigoder Law Building on the University’s Canterbury campus.