History and Translation Network

Call for Papers

New Horizons on the Past

21–22 May 2026

The History and Translation Network (HTN) brings together researchers and practitioners from different disciplines interested in both the historical dimensions of translation and interpreting, and the role of translation and interpreting in shaping and revealing historical contexts. Since its launch, the network has held two in-person conferences — in Tallinn (2022) and Graz (2024) — as well as a first online event in May 2023.

At recent HTN network meetings, there was a clear call to create more space for early-career researchers (ECRs) to shape the field and the network’s activities.

In response to this, we particularly invite contributions from early-career scholars, including doctoral researchers and those within five years of completing their PhD, which explore new directions in the study of translation and interpreting history.

The theme is deliberately broad, encouraging contributions that explore historical questions in which translation and interpreting play a central or significant role, including interdisciplinary approaches.

Additionally, the organising committee and the HTN Steering Group will invite one of the accepted presenters to give the keynote address, rather than pre-selecting a keynote speaker. This will allow us to give greater visibility to early-career researchers and acknowledge the relevance of their contributions to the field, while broadening access to it and making it more inclusive.

Structure

Main conference: the conference will be held online over two days on 21–22 May 2026, with a single stream of sessions to encourage focused discussions. 

Pre-conference training day: in addition to the main conference, we will also host a training day on 20 May, aimed at supporting early-career researchers. This will include:

• A roundtable with invited scholars sharing their experiences and advice on navigating academic careers, followed by a discussion session with ECRs
• A short mental health workshop for doctoral students and ECRs
• A workshop on postdoctoral funding and proposal writing

Further details about the training day will be announced in the final programme.

Submission Guidelines

We welcome individual paper proposals (approx. 300 words). Each submission should also include a short biosketch of the presenter (approx. 100 words):

1. Please prepare your proposal using the following template:
   https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ApdvBCpjBm0KOAEbImOrd7x8l4oObTSOrVGu5KGkPEI/edit?usp=drive_lin
2. Please submit your proposal with the subject line “HTN2026 abstract” to: htn2026@historyandtranslation.net

Important Dates

• 1 December 2025: Deadline for individual proposals
• 15 January 2026: Notification of acceptance
• 20 May 2026: Pre-conference training day
• 21-22 May 2026: Conference

Download PDF of call