Second World War Research Group Annual Conference
12-13 June 2025, Bush House, King’s College London*
Keynotes: Professor Sheldon Garon (Princeton University) & Professor Juliette Pattinson (King’s College London)
In 2025, the world will mark the 80th anniversary of the surrender of the Axis powers at the end of the Second World War. The passage of time has not dimmed scholarly or popular interest in the history of a conflict that still shapes our world today. In fact, quite the opposite. This anniversary represents an opportunity to reflect on what has been achieved by scholars to date with regards to our understanding of the conflict, but also to explore new lines of enquiry that might transform our understanding going forward.
The international scholarly society of the Second World War Research Group welcomes contributions from researchers working on the conflict both within and beyond the discipline of history, as well as from those who cross disciplinary boundaries. Given the complexities of a war that was simultaneously global, regional and local, and that had such a wide-ranging impact, the conference aims to reexamine core questions and debates surrounding this major event of the twentieth century. With that aim in mind, we invite paper proposals on themes including, but by no means limited to:
The causes of the war - Strategy, operations and tactics - The consequences of the war - The Holocaust - Research methods and sources - Periodisation - Ideology - War cultures - Alliance and coalition warfare - Mobilisation - Economics - Occupation - Violence and barbarisation - Diplomacy - Neutrality and belligerence - Intelligence - Propaganda - Geopolitical change - Political, economic and social change - Race - Gender - Decolonisation - Memory and commemoration
Paper proposals should include an abstract of no more than 300 words and a one-page CV (both as email attachments). Panel proposals for groups of three speakers are also welcomed. These should, in addition to individual paper abstracts and CVs, include a brief description of the overall panel theme (no more than 500 words – also as an attachment). The deadline for proposal submissions is 19 December 2024. Submissions, queries, and expression of interest should be addressed to Megan Hamilton at swwresearchgroup@gmail.com.
*The programme may be extended to include an evening event on Wednesday, 11 June, but this has yet to be confirmed.