The organizers of the inaugural Junior Economic History Conference invite submissions for a meeting to be held at Rhodes College, in Memphis, Tennessee, on 10 and 11 April 2027.

The goal of this initiative is to increase the opportunities that early-career economic historians have to present their work at length to their peers in the profession. In particular, seminar-length slots are relatively scarce at field-wide conferences, and few institutions hold seminars devoted specifically to economic history. This conference is designed to help close this gap.

Format

The agenda features ten papers over a day and a half. Each paper receives a full hour, and there are no parallel sessions. Presentations follow the norms of an economics seminar, with questions and interruptions throughout.

We ask that participants familiarize themselves with the work of everyone on the program by reading at least the introduction of each paper on the program. We encourage anyone who can to read further.

Costs

Participants will be provided with accommodation for the nights of 9 and 10 April and with meals for the duration of the conference. Participants are responsible for arranging and paying for their own travel.

Scope

We welcome submissions on any topic related to economic history, and from researchers at any kind of institution: liberal arts colleges, R1 and R2 universities, government agencies, and research institutions outside academia.

Eligibility

Submissions are open to junior researchers who hold a PhD. For scholars at a tenure-granting institution, “junior” means pre-tenure; for scholars at other institutions, “junior” means within ten years of obtaining the degree. There is no geographic or nationality restriction on submissions; however, we are unable to help with visa applications.

Submissions

Submissions are made through the form linked below. Given the seminar format and presentation length, we require a complete draft of the paper in PDF format, however preliminary. Extended abstracts or slide decks are not accepted as submission material and will not be considered. Nothing else is needed to apply.

Submit a paper

Dates

Organizers

For any questions, please write to the organizers.

Download this call for papers (PDF)