Call to proposals
AFHé Congress 2025

[Scientific coordinators : Paul Maneuvrier-Hervieu, Francesca Sanna]

On November 27 and 28, 2025, the Congress of the Association Française d'Histoire Économique (AFHé) will be held at the Maison de la Recherche en Sciences Humaines (MRSH) of the Université de Caen Normandie. On this occasion, the AFHé has selected the four themes presented hereafter:

1. Countryside and Environment (Thursday Nov. 27. | 9h30-13h)

[Coordinators : Niccolò Mignemi, Catherine Verna]

This session aims at exploring in particular the relationships rural societies from the Antiquity down to the contemporary period created with their environment, focusing on the management, the use and the piloting of resources, in agricultural as well as in crafts and industrial production, using written, iconographical and/or archeological sources. The organizers will consider all proposals sent to them, with a particular interest for the current work undertaken by young researchers.

 
2. Wars, reconstruction and industry (Thursday Nov. 27. | 9h30-13h)

[Coordinators : Pierre-Cyrille Hautcœur, Sylvain Skora]

As the number of armed conflicts currently taking place worldwide is the largest since 1945 (61 conflicts recorded in 2024 according to the Olso Peace research Institute), the extent of the destructions presents a major challenge to States and societies. The available archives allow for studies of this theme of reconstruction focusing on their participants and combining economic, social, political, cultural, artistic and juridical approaches. Past scholarly research has centered on Europe and the 20th century, but many other territories affected by war from the Antiquity to the present day are equally deserving of examination. All scholars working on a theme connected with postwar reconstruction, whatever the topic under consideration (agriculture, industry, services...) are invited to submit a proposal, with a particular interest in the current works of young researchers.

3. Trade and the Seas (Thursday Nov. 27. | 14h-17h30)

[Coordinators : François Drémeaux, Paul Maneuvrier-Hervieu]

This session aims at reinforcing the dialogue between economic history and maritime history, thanks to contributions focusing on the financing of the maritime sector (shipbuilding, ship chartering, and all other related investments), the evolution of trading routes (structures, configurations), the forms and dynamics of sea transportations (both its technical and organizational aspects), and the participants in the navigation and harbor spaces (in particular the personnel involved in sea-related economic activities : sailors, traders, craftsmen, dock workers, etc.)


4. Book world(s) and Book economy(ies)

 [Coordinators : Viera Rebolledo-Dhuin, Catherine Rideau-Kikuchi]

 Economic history allows us to perceive the evolutions of books in their various forms and of their personnel, whether one focuses on the circulation and the resale value of the writings in the Antiquity, on the ordering of items from lay or monastic copyists in the Middle Ages, on the distribution networks linked to the printing press, or on the giant editorial conglomerates in our times. The history of the world of books has been deeply transformed by studies of the financing and monetizing practices, but also of the economic structures underpinning the production and distribution of what was written. This session aims at exploring some of these research directions, and will consider all proposals regardless of period or geographical area.

A keynote address will be given by Pierre Bauduin on Friday, November 28, 13h30

The call for papers for these four themes is open to all research in economic history and to all disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, covering a broad chronological (from Antiquity to the present day) and geographical spectrum. AFHé particularly encourages young researchers to submit a paper proposal. Communications can be given in French and English (except for the "National Economics and International Issues" session, i.e. the 5^th session).

5. National Economics and International Issues

Franco-Japanese workshop co-organized with The Political Economy and Economic History Society (see poster).

Three young French researchers will be selected by AFHé, and three young Japanese researchers by The Political Economy and Economic History Society as part of a separate call for papers in Japan.

Submission requirements

Proposals (maximum 500 words in pdf file), written in English or French, must include a title, a clear problem statement, a short bibliography and indicate the session in which they wish to participate. A brief biographical note (max. 1,000 characters) may be attached. Proposals will be reviewed by members of the AFHé Steering Committee and the scientificcoordinators of each session.

For the National Economics and International Issues session, proposals in English only (maximum 1,500 characters) should be sent by e-mail to thomann@inalco.fr.

Funding

AFHé will cover travel and accommodation expenses for non-tenured researchers (PhD students, ATERs, post-docs).

For tenured researchers who do not have the support of their institutions, AFHé may provide financial assistance. Please send requests for funding to afhe.secretariat@gmail.com

Calendar

Paper proposals should be deposited on the platform  https://congresafhe2025.sciencesconf.org OR sent to afhe_communication@proton.me (indicating in the subject line 'Submission AFHé 2025 Congress - Session title) by September 10, 2025 at 12:00 (CEST).

Acceptation of proposals will be sent no later than September 25, 2025.

Prize for the best paper by a young researcher

At the end of the presentations, a jury made up of members of the AFHé steering committee will award a €250 prize for best paper given during the Congress by a young, Non-Tenured researcher

See the program in PDF format : AAC_Congrès AFHE