SRS 12th Biennial Conference

A Survey of the Cities of London and Westminster, Borough of Southwark, and Parts Adjacent, by John Mottley (London: J. Read, 1734-5). With thanks to Senate House Library for the image

Our conference 'The Renaissance beyond Borders' envisions the Renaissance as a dynamic, interconnected process that transcends the chronological and geographical limitations of a fixed European moment. Bringing together scholars from across disciplines, it encourages narratives that trace the movement of ideas, texts, images, everyday artefacts and peoples across regions from the Mediterranean to Asia and the Americas. The conference foregrounds exchange, adaptation and processes of circulation as central forces of cultural renewal, while also interrogating the asymmetrical conditions under which such transformations occurred. Hosted in London, the conference additionally celebrates the city’s long-standing role as a global crossroads – past and present – where diverse intellectual traditions meet, intersect, and continue to reshape our understanding of history.    

The main strands of the event are as follows:

• The Renaissance Beyond Europe

• Beyond the Medieval-Renaissance Divide

• London as Global City (including Migration and Multilingualism)

• Object-Based Research

As at previous SRS conferences, there will be an Open Strand, which allows submissions that are not connected to the conference's core theme/s. Proposals might not fall neatly into one of these strands; some will naturally fall into several or none. If in doubt, please select the one that seems most obvious or select ‘Open Strand’. The selection of a strand is merely indicative and not definitive.

Submit a Proposal

Please note this will be an entirely in-person conference.

Workshops on Essential Skills will run throughout the conference, aimed at all delegates and including sessions on palaeography, languages, printing, and conservation. Delegates will be able to sign up for these sessions following registration.

Our understanding of ‘Renaissance’ is broad and includes the full range of Early Modern Studies: we welcome applications from scholars at all stages of their careers, from those who are conducting research beyond academic institutions, in all disciplinary backgrounds, and across a wide chronological and geographical spectrum; we also value bold, innovative, and provocative approaches to research. SRS supports the principle that academia cannot reach its full potential unless it can benefit from the talents of all, and is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.