Based in the Institute of Historical Research in London (School of Advanced Study [SAS], University of London), the Centre for Metropolitan History is a leading European hub for the study of urban history. The Centre is also a key part of Cities@SAS, a new initiative involving urban studies scholars from across the School. This conference aims to bring together the wide variety of postgraduate students, at the School but also beyond, who work on cities.

Professor Richard Rodger (University of Edinburgh), the former general editor of a series of 40 books on Historical Urban Studies, and a former editor of Urban History, will give a keynote lecture on the state of the discipline: its obstacles, opportunities, and future prospects. Leading scholars in the field of urban history will chair each panel.

We welcome proposals for individual 15 minute papers, or panels of four papers, from postgraduate researchers at any stage of their research. Themes or topics of modern urban studies, defined loosely as 1750-present, from any geographic region, and from any discipline, are encouraged. Subjects could include, but are not limited to:

  • Urban government and governance
  • Civil society and civic culture
  • Space, place and urban identity
  • Writing and representing the city
  • The history of emotions and sensing the city
  • Processes of urbanisation
  • Urban sociology, ethnology, and anthropology
  • Migration and migrant communities
  • Race, ethnicity, and belonging
  • Sex and sexuality in the city

Abstracts should not exceed 250 words, and should be sent to Dr Tom Hulme at tom.hulme at sas.ac.uk by May 1st 2016.

The conference will take place 4 July 2017, at the Institute of Historical Research (Senate House, University of London). Non-postgraduates are also welcome and encouraged to attend. There will be a small registration fee of £10, which includes lunch and an evening wine reception. A limited number of bursaries are available for travel and registration for unfunded postgraduate researchers; speakers whose proposals have been accepted should contact Tom.