International Society for the First World War Studies Conference – CALL FOR PAPERS

Date / time: 3 February - 1 May, 5:00 pm

International Society for the First World War Studies Conference - CALL FOR PAPERS

 


International Society for the First World War Studies Conference: ‘SEAS’

1-3 October 2025 | University of Macedonia, Thessaloniki 

Call for Papers, deadline – 1 May 2025

Pre-conference Event – 3 February 2025


Click to download Call for Papers

The International Society for First World War Studies and the Department of Balkan, Slavic & Oriental Studies at the University of Macedonia are delighted to announce ISFWWS’ 11th conference, to be held at the University of Macedonia in Thessaloniki on 1-3 October 2025. The city Thessaloniki played a very special role in the history of the First World War both as a base of the Entente, Serbian and Greek troops and as a port. However, as often happens with the naval dimension of the First World War, its maritime role often remained overlooked. To rectify that, this year the conference will focus on the naval side of the war with the broad theme of ‘Seas’.

We will be happy to consider proposals touching on any maritime aspects of the war, in the broadest possible sense and we would like to encourage historians, who do not usually focus on the naval side of the war, to find connections with it in their own research. Potential subjects may include, but not limited to:

  • naval and maritime history of the war
  • amphibious operations
  • port cities and coastal areas
  • maritime journeys during the war
  • economics and logistics (supply, naval blockade and its effects, etc)
  • naval and maritime technology
  • naval thinking and naval theories developed during and after the war
  • social and cultural histories of all belligerent navies
  • civilians at sea during the war
  • commemoration and memory of maritime aspects of the war
  • representation of naval aspects of the war in art, literature, film, computer games, etc.
  • environmental history of the seas and coastal areas during the war

We are thrilled to announce Professor Heather Jones (University College London) and Professor Sir Hew Strachan (University of St Andrews) as keynote speakers.

We are also happy to inform applicants that for those willing we will be able to organise a thematic field trip to the island of Lemnos on 4-5 October (for an additional fee).

We particularly welcome proposals from early career researchers. We are planning to offer a mentoring programme to help postgraduate and early career researchers develop their papers for publication.

Accommodation for all participants will be generously provided by the University of Macedonia in Thessaloniki. There will also be several bursaries available for the early career scholars and independent researchers.

All presenters will be expected to become members of the Society before the conference date. The working language of the conference and all submissions is English. The organisers intend to publish the proceedings of this conference.

Paper Selection: Potential presenters are encouraged to submit a 300-word abstract of their paper accompanied by a one-page CV to isfwws2025@gmail.com by 1 May 2025. If you have any questions about the conference, please, email Dr Sofya Anisimova at sofya.anisimova@ucd.ie.

If your proposal is accepted a 2500-3000 word short paper will be due 1 September 2025 in order for papers to be pre-circulated and have as much time as possible dedicated to discussion.

For anyone interested in submitting a proposal to the conference or is keen to find out more about the plans, we are holding an online event on Monday 3rd February at 12pm EST / 5pm GMT / 6pm CET.

You can register for a place at this event through the following link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/society-conference-2025-tickets-1209522617709