Call for Papers | huwjdavies

26-27 November 2026

University of Limerick, Ireland

CALL FOR PAPERS

***The deadline for paper and panel submissions is 3rd July 2026***

The Society for the History of War invites proposals for its Annual Conference:

The Conference is organised in collaboration with the University of Limerick and will be held at the University of Limerick, Ireland, on 26-27 November 2026.

****

Keynote speaker:

Prof. Robert Gerwarth, University College Dublin, ‘Europe's Age of Civil Wars, 1917-1949’

****

The Society of the History of War invites individual paper and panel proposals for its fifth annual conference. Continuing the tradition of previous SHoW conferences hosted in Amsterdam (2022), Lisbon (2023), Nicosia (2024) and Potsdam (2025), we aim to enhance discussions on the histories of war, to explore the place of war in society and its impacts on cultures and individuals, and to ask how war has been practised, perceived, experienced and legitimised – nationally and globally.

Our goal is to intertwine scholarly historical and interdisciplinary inquiries, foster intellectual exchange and cross-cultural dialogue, and commit to addressing persisting current and historical issues. This approach will facilitate the investigation and discussion of diverse empirical, methodological, and interdisciplinary perspectives in the study of war and violence.

The conference offers the opportunity to disseminate new research and cultivates a global network of experts dedicated to addressing the enduring challenges posed by the study of war and violence.

We welcome submissions for papers or panels that will encourage reflection and insight into how war has been practised, represented, remembered and understood across time and space; on the interconnections between martial cultures, violence, and civil societies nationally and globally; on the politics of war and the meanings and legacies of war and violence.

Proposals, either individual paper or panel proposals are welcome on any topic addressing the history of war. Topics may include, but are not limited to:

Government policies, domestic politics, and the conduct of war
Warfare, irregular warfare, counterinsurgency, peacekeeping
Globalising histories of war
Empires, imperialism, war and violence
Civil-military relations
Militarism, military identities
War, violence, emotions and senses
Experiences of war and violence; war and the everyday
Gender and war
Media and the military
Memory and commemoration
Military cultures, military institutions, military landscapes
Cultures of war and violence
Representations of war and violence
Civil wars

We would welcome early innovative and/or interdisciplinary methodological approaches that highlight the range and complexity of challenges faced when studying violence and war, as well as contributions by scholars who, although interested in the past, would not call themselves historians.

SHoW’s fifth annual conference will take place in Limerick, Ireland. Limerick is a historic city; it’s Georgian streetscape is largely preserved. It has been home to military barracks and fortifications since 1200, when the building of King’s John Castle began. The Treaty of Limerick was signed there in October 1691, ending the Williamite War in Ireland. The soldiers who left Ireland after its signing became the famous Wild Geese taking service with the French and Spanish armies. Limerick is located 24 kms from Shannon International Airport, offering direct flights to major US, UK, and continental European airports. Limerick is also easily accessible by coach or train from Dublin and therefore via flights to and from Dublin airport. Conference participants who arrive early will be able to join a history tour of the city on the 25th of November.

SUBMISSION PROCESS

We welcome proposals for individual papers or for themed panels. Postgraduate students are encouraged to participate in panels or to submit their own panel proposals or individual papers. The conference is intended to offer a constructive environment in which to present work in progress to a specialist audience.

Panels will last for 90 minutes each and should have three to four speakers, and a chair. Each paper should be no longer than 15 minutes to leave sufficient time for discussion.

Individual paper proposals must include a paper title, a 300-word abstract of the paper, and a one-page CV with current contact information / email address combined into a single file. If accepted, individual papers will be assigned by the program committee to an appropriate three to four person panel and assigned a chair. Speaking time per paper will be 15 minutes.

Panel proposals must include a panel title and 300-word abstract summarizing the theme of the panel; a paper title and a 300-word abstract for each proposed paper proposed; and a one-page CV for each panellist, combined into a single file. Do note that every panel must be chaired.

The deadline for proposals is 3rd July 2026. Please send all the relevant paperwork to SHOWconferences@gmail.com making it clear that you are responding to this particular CfP. The conference organisers will make a decision on the final programme by 31st August 2026 at the latest.

We ask those organising panels to take diversity and gender balance seriously when proposing their composition.

TRAVEL BURSARIES

SHoW is a small society of volunteers. We are committed to promoting and developing equality, diversity and inclusivity through our work and to ensuring that our events are accessible, welcoming and collegiate. To this end, for this year’s Conference we have secured funding for 3 travel bursaries of 450 EUR to support the participation of scholars from groups and institutions who are currently underrepresented in the field. We are particularly keen to support applications from scholars based in the global south and from others whose participation will help to ensure a plurality of voices. To apply for a travel bursary, applicants should, in addition to and alongside their proposal and as a separate file, submit a brief letter explaining how their participation will help to achieve our goals. Do note that the travel bursaries are for individuals only; for bursary holders, the attendance fee is still due.

ATTENDANCE FEES

The conference is organised on a not-for-profit basis. Attendance costs to participate in the conference are to cover daily refreshments, lunch, and a conference dinner, which will be held at the Stables Club, University of Limerick on Friday 27 November. The conference fee is 100 euros, which also includes a 12-month membership of the Society.

We have secured discounted rates at local hotels and will advise on this once the programme is complete.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For more information, please contact the Society for the History of War via e-mail; visit SHoW’s website; or contact a member of the organising committee.

ORGANISING COMMITTEE

Helen Parr| University of Limerick

Graça Almeida Borges | CHAM-Centre for the Humanities, FCSH-NOVA

Sibylle Scheipers | University of St. Andrews

Samuël Kruizinga | University of Amsterdam

William Sheehan| The Open University