Clio Reframed: Women Writing History, 1500-1750

Paper proposals are invited for this two-day conference to be held at the University of Oxford on 18-19 June 2026 that will consider the overlooked role of early modern women as writers of ‘history’ – broadly conceived to encompass a range of subjects, approaches and forms, including, to name a few, chronicles, verse narratives, drama, pamphlets, and biographical lives. By exploring historical writing and historiography produced by women between the sixteenth and mid-eighteenth centuries, this conference asks why, when and to what purpose and effect women chose different historical subjects as their focus. It seeks to situate these texts within their social, religious, political, and textual production contexts, with the aim of expanding our critical understanding of historical writing that often elides the participation of women, and to challenge narratives that homogenize women’s interests in history and their writing strategies. The conference welcomes global perspectives and interdisciplinary approaches and is not limited to early modern writing in English. It will feature plenary talks by Danielle Clarke (University College Dublin), Claire Gheeraert-Graffeuille (Université de Rouen Normandie), Emilie Murphy (University of York), and Sue Wiseman (Birkbeck, University of London).

‘Clio Reframed’ welcomes proposals (up to 300 words) for 20-minute panel papers by 28 February 2026, which should be sent to clioreframed@gmail.com, along with a short biography. Submissions from doctoral students and ECRs are particularly encouraged – and several graduate/ECR bursaries will be available for assisting with travel and accommodation expenses. To apply for one of these, please submit an additional statement (c. 200 words) that briefly outlines why a bursary would be beneficial and how your research fits with the aims of the conference.

Please see the conference website (https://clioreframed.hcommons.org/) for further details and the full Call for Papers.