CON-IH 18 || Global and International History: The Pacific in the World

Rafi Stern Discussion

Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

March 22-23, 2018

The organizing committee for the Harvard Graduate Student Conference on International History (Con-IH) invites graduate students to submit proposals for its eighteenth annual conference. This year’s theme is the Pacific in the World. The conference will take place at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts on March 22-23, 2018.

By geographic area, the Pacific Ocean is the largest in the world. It has been the site of unique ecological and environmental patterns, protracted political contestations, grand imperial dreams and diverse movements of resistance. It has facilitated the movement of labor and goods so foundational to contemporary international orders. Additionally, the Pacific World has been central to forging modern constructs of race, gender, and sexuality. Con-IH 18 will provide a forum for the discussion of cutting-edge studies that examine the multifaceted histories of the Pacific, and in the process, push the boundaries of international and global history, in terms of both content and methodology.

We welcome submissions that address one or more of the following themes, but the list is suggestive only:

1) Indigeneity and Sovereignty

2) Colonial Encounters and Empire

3) The Economy

4) Decolonization

5) Race, Gender, and Labor

6) War and Militarization

7) Environmental and Climate History

We consider as an integral part of “The Pacific in the World” research that is situated in one or more of the following regions: the Pacific Islands and Oceania, East and Southeast Asia, North and South America, or any other part of the globe in contact with the Pacific Ocean, broadly defined. We especially welcome projects that integrates into Pacific history the areas and actors traditionally overlooked in histories of the Pacific, as well as those that adopt a comparative oceanic lens.

Accepted papers will be grouped for presentation within three or four panels each composed of graduate students and one faculty commentator for each presenter. Participation in Con-IH thus presents an unparalleled opportunity to engage in lively and lengthy discussions with an emerging cohort of researchers-in-training from around the world, as well as with faculty from Harvard and elsewhere.

Graduate students interested in participating in the conference should submit a 300-word proposal and one-page Curriculum Vitae (in either Word or PDF format) to conih@fas.harvard.edu. Proposals must be received by November 15, 2017 in order to be considered. We anticipate being able to reimburse reasonable travel and lodging expenses for all participants. As the date approaches, additional information will be posted on the conference website at con-ih.com.