To mark 10 years of the mandate of the Independent Expert on the Rights of Persons with Albinism, Professor Charlotte Baker from the School of Global Affairs is co-organising an in-person conference to be held at Lancaster University from 16-18 September 2025. The call for papers inviting proposals for presentations on the topic of albinism is currently open until 23 April 2025.

Since the establishment of the mandate of the Independent Expert on Albinism with the adoption of resolution A/HRC/RES/28/6 on 10 April 2015, the multiple, often-intersecting issues facing persons with albinism have become more visible. These include the threats of skin cancer and climate change, barriers to inclusion in education, employment and community life, and attitudinal barriers which are shaped by misinformation and cultural beliefs.

The conference will bring together albinism advocates, associations and human rights defenders, researchers in the fields of genetics, ophthalmology, dermatology and oncology, those in the arts, humanities and social sciences, and those working across disciplines to share expertise and new research findings.

The conference organisers particularly invite presentations which open new perspectives on albinism internationally.

They welcome proposals for presentations (20 minutes), panel proposals (3 x 20 minute presentations), round table discussions (up to 5 speakers and a chair) and stream proposals (a series of linked panel proposals).

Proposals may focus on, but are not limited to:

• Albinism and human rights
• The role of the mandate
• Albinism advocacy
• Social inclusion, development and well-being
• Advances in genetic research
• Ophthalmology and visual sciences
• Dermatology, photoprotection and skin cancer
• The impact of climate change
• Albinism, bodies and personhood
• Colourism and Intersectionality
• The Contextualisation of Care
• Albinism and gender
• Cultural representations of albinism

Proposals

Abstracts of 200 words for each presentation should include a title and be accompanied by a 100-word biographical note for each speaker. Round table proposals should include a title, 200-word summary of the theme and 100-word bios for each speaker and the chair. Proposals should be sent to Charlotte Baker c.baker@lancaster.ac.uk with the subject line Albinism conference proposal by Wednesday 23rd April 2025.

Conference fees

The full 3-day delegate rate for participation in the conference is expected to be £450, which includes the conference fee, on-campus bed and breakfast accommodation for three nights, refreshments, lunches, evening meals and the conference dinner.

The 3-day conference fee including refreshments and lunch is expected to be £200.

Local hotel or guest house accommodation is available at a cost of between £60 and £120 a night. A reduced fee will be available for delegates from the global south and postgraduate students.

Organizing committee:

Professor Charlotte Baker (Lancaster University, UK)

Dr Elvis Imafidon (SOAS, University of London, UK)

Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, MD (Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine, USA)

Muluka-Anne Miti Drummond (UN Independent Expert on the Rights of Persons with Albinism)

Professor Luis Montoliu (CNB-CSIC, Spain)

Professor Sheryl Reimer-Kirkham (Trinity North Western, Canada)

Dr Mervyn Thomas, MD (University of Leicester, UK)

Holly Key (Lancaster University, UK)