Objective
Shadow Parenthood in European Modernism (SPEM) investigates how Western European modernist fiction (c.1900–1940), written amid intense social, political, and sexual upheaval, depicted non-traditional parenthood—namely same-sex caregiving, adoptive or single parenting, interracial relationships, and ambivalent attitudes towards parenting, including reluctance, regret, or refusal. SPEM introduces the term shadow parenthood to describe these emotionally complex but socially marginalised forms of, or orientations towards, care that lack legal, biological, or institutional status. Like a shadow extending from its figure, these roles expand notions of who counts as a parent while revealing how social expectations about reproduction shape family and belonging—even for those resisting such norms. Analysing twelve modernist works (mainly novels, some plays), the project shows how these texts challenge dominant kinship models through their subject matter and narrative techniques. Its comparative approach further highlights differences between Northern and Southern European representations of shadow parenthood, shaped by distinct cultural contexts. Methodologically, SPEM combines close reading (fine-grained textual analysis) with insights from anthropology and sociology on kinship, as well as digital humanities tools that enhance both analysis and accessibility. Together, these elements ensure a fully interdisciplinary approach. Ultimately, SPEM argues that by depicting such non-traditional forms of care, modernist literature did not merely reflect its time but made an overlooked contribution to reimagining kinship beyond institutional models, anticipating and influencing contemporary debates on reproductive justice, care, and belonging. In doing so, the project supports Horizon Europe’s Cluster 2 goals by demonstrating how cultural imaginaries shape both inclusive and exclusionary social structures.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
75270 Paris
France
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.