Reflections on ICFC 2025 by Dr Gözde Doğanyılmaz-Burger
When we first began planning the International Child and Family Conference 2025, we started with limited resources but big dreams. As members of the organising committee, we kept asking ourselves: What would we hope for if we were attending an international conference? That simple yet powerful question guided many of our decisions, from shaping the programme and themes to considering how people would feel upon arrival.
We were incredibly fortunate to have Prof Afua Twum-Danso Imoh as our Chair. Her vision and dedication carried us through. And while many of us had never worked together before, and not all had experience organising an event of this scale, every committee member gave their full commitment.
From organising the opening dinner to promoting the conference on online platforms, we spent countless hours discussing how to make the conference meaningful. It was also a huge learning curve for me, from contributing through meticulously reading and selecting abstracts, co-developing the programme, navigating practical issues, and finding solutions when challenges or miscommunications arose. We learned a great deal about balancing different expectations and creating space for everyone to contribute.
The energy and commitment of our volunteers especially moved me. Although they joined us later in the process, they worked with such care and dedication, making a huge difference in creating the warm, inclusive atmosphere that so many participants commented on.
For me, one of the most emotional moments was walking into the conference venue and seeing it all come to life. Yes, we worked hard, and yes, we knew interest was high, but seeing the happy faces, hearing the buzz of conversation, and watching connections form in real time made it all feel very real. All those months of planning and problem-solving suddenly turned into something tangible, and I felt genuinely proud and thankful.
There were also immense personal and professional learnings, especially from chairing several panels. I witnessed thoughtful, challenging discussions, constructive comments, and a powerful sense of shared purpose. The commitment people showed to working with and for children and young people left me full of hope. It was a strong reminder that none of us are alone in this work and how important it is to keep creating spaces like this where we can come together, learn, and move forward.
On a personal note, I also had the opportunity to present my PhD research on children’s experiences of parental separation. It was the first time I’d presented at an international conference in years. My last was at McGill University in Canada, seven years ago, when I was seven months pregnant with my son, Aslan. Time truly flies. I’m grateful for the years I spent prioritising Aslan’s wellbeing while raising him without close family support and finishing my PhD. Returning to an international platform to share my research again felt deeply fulfilling.
A heartfelt thank you to Afua, the incredible organising committee, our dedicated volunteers, and everyone at the University of Bristol School for Policy Studies who made this conference possible. And thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to such a thoughtful, energising experience.
It was both emotional and joyful, and I feel proud of what we accomplished together.
More about the conference
Read my reflections on:
- The keynote speeches: Rethinking parenting, care, and children’s roles in society; keynote speeches from ICFC 2025
- Chairing sessions at the conference: Children’s voices, family transitions and everyday care; chairing sessions at ICFC 2025