CfP: The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) at 200: Science, Society, and the Natural World - SHNH and ZSL Summer Meeting 2026

The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) at 200: Science, Society, and the Natural World

SHNH International Summer Meeting in collaboration with the Zoological Society of London

Huxley Lecture Theatre, Zoological Society of London, London

Wednesday 1st July to Friday 3rd July 2026.

 

This three-day international meeting, held in SHNH’s 90th year, will mark the bicentenary of the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and delve into its history and impact on our knowledge of the natural world. Founded in the age of empire and Enlightenment science, ZSL has shaped – and been shaped by – transformations in zoological knowledge, conservation practice, and human-animal relations. The bicentenary offers a timely opportunity to explore ZSL’s history and to reflect on its legacy in Britain and beyond.

 

Founded in 1826 by Sir Stamford Raffles, the ZSL became a cornerstone of British scientific life. Within just a few years it had opened the London Zoo (1828), received a Royal Charter (1829), and absorbed the collections of the royal menagerie, once housed at the Tower of London (1831). Throughout the nineteenth century, ZSL pioneered public zoological attractions, including the world’s first Reptile House (1849) and Aquarium (1850). Iconic animals such as Obaysch the hippopotamus and Jumbo the elephant became cultural phenomena, while figures like Charles Darwin and Evelyn Cheesman shaped its scientific reputation. The founding of Whipsnade Zoo in 1931 marked a shift toward open zoological parks, and the establishment of the Institute of Zoology in the 1960s positioned ZSL as a leader in conservation research.

 

We invite scholars, researchers and practitioners to submit papers that delve into the history of the ZSL, its members and animals, together with its role and importance in shaping our understanding of the natural world over time. While we will favour papers that focus on the history of ZSL, we also encourage papers which centre on the history of other zoological collections or institutions and their links to ZSL.

 

We welcome papers that explore (but are not restricted to) the following topics:

 

  • The zoo as a site of science and experimentation, education, spectacle and entertainment
  • ZSL’s role in collecting, classifying, and displaying animals from across the world
  • ‘Star’ animals and their legacy
  • ZSL and its role in institutional and global networks
  • Zoo design and the aesthetics of zoological display, including botanical planting
  • The role of ZSL in conservation science and breeding programmes
  • Animal care and control including veterinary science and feeding regimes
  • The work of artists inspired by ZSL’s collections

 

Abstracts for 20-minute papers should be submitted to Dr Elle Larsson. Please include a title, an abstract (up to 250 words) and a speaker biography (up to 100 words). These should be submitted as a single word document with your name in the file name.

 

The deadline for submission is 6 February 2026.