POSTHUMUS CONFERENCE 2026
''Global Capitalism'
IISH, Amsterdam, 21-22 May 2026 |
Registration for the Posthumus Conference 2026 is now open! The 2026 Conference will be held on 21 and 22 May 2026 at the International Institute of Social History (IISG/IISH) in Amsterdam. This year’s theme will be ‘Global Capitalism’. We are proud to announce this year's keynote lecture will be delivered by Professor Sven Beckert, Laird Bell Professor of History at Harvard University. The conference will be hosted by the IISH team under the guidance of Professor Ulbe Bosma, in cooperation with the N.W. Posthumus Institute and includes presentations by both Posthumus PhDs and other scholars. Also, the PhDs of cohort 2025 will present of their research projects through a poster presentation on the first conference day. We are looking forward meeting you in Amsterdam!
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Keynote lecture by Professor Sven Beckert |
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The organisers of the 2026 Posthumus Conference are happy and proud to announce that this year's keynote lecture will be delivered by Professor Sven Beckert, Laird Bell Professor of History at Harvard University. His keynote lecture will be based upon his recent publication Capitalism. A Global History, a publication regarded as ‘a monumental book [and a] must read’, according to Thomas Piketty and glowingly reviewed widely and prominently, e.g., in the Guardian and the New York Times. In his lecture, he will at least answer one of the intriguing questions about capitalism, namely when did it start? But also, how capitalism changed over time and what triggered these transformations? |
Our host: International Institute of Social History |
The 2026 edition of the Annual Posthumus Conference will be hosted by the International Institute of Social History (IISH) under the guidance of Professor Ulbe Bosma. The IISH focuses on labour and social movements across the globe over the past five centuries, provides sustainable access to information, examines the relationship between work and social inequality and collaborates with societal groups. The IISH aims to be an inspiring and inclusive space that attracts people because they are interested in socio-economic history, with themes such as inequality, labour, social movements, climate, migration, and slavery. |
The main venue of the 2026 Posthumus Conference will be the IISH Building (Cruquiusweg 31, Amsterdam). Originally built in 1961 as a cocoa storage facility named after King Willem I of the Netherlands, in 1987-1989 the building underwent a massive transformation in order to become the new home to the IISH and its extensive archives. |
Joining us for dinner? May we take your order?
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The organisers at IISh and the N.W. Posthumus Institute kindly invite you to to the conference dinner on 21 May. The dinner will take place at Restaurant Oceaan, located at R.J.H. Fortuynplein 29, Amsterdam, about 15 min. walking distance from the conference venue. The dinner starts at 18:00 sharp.
Participation is free, but prior registration is required. Important: in order to avoid food spillage, we kindly ask you only to register for the dinner if you really intend to join. In case you are not sure yet, no problem: in that case, please indicate now you are not joining and just send us an e-mail if you change your mind later on (we rather have an extra plate than an empty chair :)).
In accordance with the policies of the organising universities and to ensure an efficient serving process, the restaurant will serve a fixed vegetarian conference menu. Vegan options will also be available, and of course dietary needs will be taken care of. Although the conference is still some time away, please indicate any dietary needs / preferences when you register.
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