C. Ren Morton

Morton’s research focuses on the nexus of mothers, labor and the state with specific emphasis on theory construction, the historical resonances of witch rhetoric and contemporary welfare reform. As a socio-historian, Morton endeavors to understand how we arrived at this current socio-political moment in the U.S.

Hoping to find and co-create visions of alternative worlds, Morton is most interested in realities where women are valued and everyone’s material, social and spiritual needs are met.

Originally from Kansas, Morton has worked in nonprofit, local government, state government and the private sector. Notably, Morton began her career in the domestic violence prevention field which gave birth to her research focuses. As a maternal scholar, Morton brings forth her own direct maternal experience to inform and deepen her scholarship  

Feminist welfare state studies, feminist witch studies, division of labor studies, maternal and matrilineal studies