Call for Panels in the Science and Empire Commission Symposium (ICHST, Dunedin/New Zealand and Online, 2025)

The Science and Empire Commission of the Division for the History of Science and Technology (DHST) was established more than a quarter-century ago, in 1997. Its creation resulted from the convergence of research initiatives that had been underway since the 1980s with particular intensity in India, Latin America, Australia, and Europe. In the intervening years since the Commission’s founding, we have witnessed the rise or consolidation, among others, of global history, the history of knowledge, new imperial histories, and renewed strains of post-colonial and decolonial thought and activism. Against this backdrop, as the Commission heads to its 30th anniversary, we would like to take the opportunity of DHST’s International Congress of History of Science and Technology (ICHST), which will take place in Dunedin, New Zealand, and online from June 29 to July 5, 2025, to take stock of work done in the field of science and empire and plan for the future.

With this in mind, the Commission will sponsor a multi-panel symposium in the ICHST, entitled “Science and Empire Turns 30: Peoples, Places, Exchanges, and Circulation,” taking a cue from the very theme of the Congress. We welcome panel proposals that relate to this broad set of interests, and, at the same time, add to a collective reflection about what has been accomplished in science and empire studies in the last decades and what are the challenges and opportunities going forward. Although four-speaker panels are allowed, we strongly encourage the proposal of panels with three speakers and one discussant. There is no restriction on who can participate, and all that is needed to submit a proposal is a title and general description of the panel, the list of speakers, and tentative titles for each paper to be presented. Abstracts are due at a later date.

Proposals should be submitted via this online form by March 15. Notice of acceptance will be sent on March 22. The Commission will offer limited funds to cover the registration expenses of early-career scholars presenting a paper in a panel of the Symposium. Details on the grant scheme and how to apply will be announced later.