Online Conference: "Early Modern Mobility: Knowledge, Community, Communication, and Infrastructure, 1500-1800," May 14-16, 2021

Anna Toledano Discussion
Type: 
Conference
Date: 
May 14, 2021 to May 16, 2021
Location: 
California, United States
Subject Fields: 
Early Modern History and Period Studies, Digital Humanities, European History / Studies, Slavery, History of Science, Medicine, and Technology

The Program in History and Philosophy of Science at Stanford is pleased to present:

Early Modern Mobility Conference

May 14-16, 2021

During the early modern period (1500-1800), individuals and communities experienced dramatic changes in communication and transportation, establishing practices, institutions, and infrastructure that opened up new political and economic possibilities, and changed the way people understood the world. Merchants, diplomats, scholars, intelligencers, and missionaries – really anyone whose livelihood relied on the road and postal networks – developed a sophisticated understanding of how to use these systems to communicate ideas, convey information, and deliver and receive goods. In this three-day virtual workshop, Early Modern Mobility: Knowledge, Community, Communication, and Infrastructure, 1500-1800, we bring together current research at the intersection of mobility, communication, and infrastructure. We will showcase recent work at the crux of 1) creation of communications, travel and exchange infrastructure 2) navigation and experience of voluntary and coercive mobility and 3) exploring early modern thought about mobility, infrastructure, and its politics.

This event brings together scholars who ask questions such as:
  • What is early modern about mobility? About infrastructure?
  • What is the relationship between mobility and infrastructure?
  • How does the early modern era offer a unique perspective upon important dimensions of human mobility?
  • How did early modern societies understand freedom of movement?
  • What terminology should we use for discussing infrastructure in the premodern age?

Participants and Organizers:

Leo Barleta, Lucio Biasiori, Anne Conchon, Federica Favino, Paula Findlen, Tiago Gil, Jo Guldi, Howard Hotson, Mélanie Lamotte, Katie McDonough, Massimo Meccarelli, Rachel Midura, Diego Pirillo, David Richardson, Dan Riches, Beatriz E. Salamanca, Rosa Salzberg, Luca Scholz, Suzanne Sutherland, & Thomas Wallnig

* Register here to attend. Registration is free and all is online.

Friday, May 14 (8:30-11:45 PDT) in your local time

  • 8:30-8:45: Welcome
  • 8:45-9:45: DH Lightning Talks
  • 9:45-10:15: Break
  • 10:15-11:45: Panel 1: Making Mobility Infrastructure

Saturday, May 15 (8:00-11:30 PDT) in your local time

  • 8:00-9:30: Panel 2: Navigating and Professionalizing Mobility
  • 9:30-10:00: Break
  • 10:00-11:30 Panel 3: War, Slavery, and Missionary Networks

Sunday, May 16 (8:30-10:30 PDT) in your local time

  • 8:30-10:00: Panel 4: The Politics of Mobility
  • 10:00-10:30 Concluding Remarks

Follow us or send us questions on Twitter @emmobility.

Contact Email: