East Asian Social Policy research network (EASP) conferences have attempted to enhance the quality and quantity of research on fast changing East Asian social policies, and to provide a forum for exchanging ideas for researchers. The 13th EASP (East Asian Social Policy) International Annual Conference will be held at the Ewha Womans University on July 1-2, 2016 on ‘Social Policy and Gender in East Asia’.

Development of social policy and welfare state in East Asia has been attracting scholarly attention from not only Asian region but from the international academic circle and policy makers from more than two decades by now. While there have been noticeable development and expansion in literature on East Asian social policy and welfare state, less attention has been given to gender aspect of these topics.

Currently, most Asian countries are experiencing a decline in fertility rate, increase in female labour market participation together with issues related to lack of care which used to be taken care of by mothers and females in the society. Family policy and work-life balance policy are suggested to be one of the top priority in policy agenda in these so called Confucianism welfare states. In addition, with the transition into service economy in most East Asian capitalism, more gender inequality in labour market such as wage difference and social protection coverage gap are also suggested to be degrading countries’ equity. Against this background, the theme of 13 th EASP annual conference is “Social Policy and Gender in East Asia” for further discussion and provide policy implications.

We particularly wish to invite paper proposals that reflect on this gender-related theme, however, also invite papers on any aspect of social policy within East Asian region and stress that papers from outside of this theme will be accommodated, as is the usual practice for the EASP.

We also welcome panel proposals which address the overall theme and/or the sub-themes. Those wishing to organize a panel should submit a panel proposal which includes the title and objective of panel (250-300 words), the details of panel organizer(s) and all participating members, along with abstracts of three (or four) papers.