CfA: 'Knowledge in Use: Practices and Practitioners in the Renaissance and Early Modern Period (14th-17th centuries)'
This call invites contributions that explore the emergence of knowledge and skill in direct dialogue with practice from the late Middle Ages to the early modern period. It builds on the literatures in the history of science and economic history that emphasize the role of practitioners in knowledge-making and technological innovation.
The call aligns with the FIS Starting Grant Project 'Working Knowledge (2025–2028)' and welcomes studies based on sources written by practitioners themselves, including artisans, engineers, practically-minded humanists, instrument makers, skilled workers, and other figures of the mechanical arts.
Topics of interest include the application of mathematical procedures to practical fields, the role of manuals and handbooks in knowledge transmission, and the material and social conditions shaping the development and emergence of skill.
Contributions should focus on how knowledge evolved through practice and interaction with material culture and social settings, expanding our understanding of knowledge in use. Submissions engaging with previously overlooked sources are particularly encouraged.
Submission deadlines: 31 March 2025 (abstract) | 31 March 2026 (article)
Publication date: October 2026
You can find more details at the following link: