The Swiss Network of Female Historians has been connecting women* in the historical profession since 2019. Time and again in our work, we have noticed that historians long for more spaces to exchange ideas and discuss the state of historical studies and the historian’s profession from intersectional feminist perspectives.
Inspired by the pioneering “Schweizerische HistorikerInnentagungen” (Swiss Historians’ Conferences), which were one of the most successful vessels for bringing together feminist historians from the 1980s to the 2000s and gave important impetus to women’s and gender history research, the network of female historians is organizing an Unconference in partnership with the Gosteli Foundation and infoclio.ch on 7-8 June 2024 at PROGR Bern.
We want to bring historians together, unite our causes and share personal experiences. The Historians’ Unconference is not only a forum to present research findings. We also want to discuss and reflect on our professional practices and modes of knowledge as well as structural challenges: How can we overcome biased perspectives and research, write and communicate history in new ways? How can we break down existing structures that dominate educational and professional development and everyday work life? What are promising new trends in research and which areas are being neglected?
The Unconference is an open, collaborative event format. All participants can propose topics and questions either beforehand or on the day – together we will decide what will then be discussed in parallel sessions. The sessions are accompanied by two plenary events. The accompanying social program offers additional opportunities for informal exchange and mingling.
Also taking place in conjunction with the Unconference are this year’s Gosteli Talks. The Gosteli Foundation is organising one of the plenary events and the two sessions “Feminist Archival Practice” and “Pioneers, friends, collectives: How to tell women’s (hi)stories?“.
The Unconference brings together historians from all parts of the country and crosses language borders. We respect the language skills of all participants and offer continuous translation if required.
The Historians’ Unconference is inclusive. We invite students, researchers, history teachers, employees of cultural and memory institutions, freelancers and all other historians to bring forward their concerns, engage in current debates and contribute their own ideas and solutions!
For logistical reasons, the number of participants is limited to 80. Please register by May 19th, 2024 using the registration form.
