Call for Papers: History as DialogueWashington D.C., May 29-30, 2025
Deadline: February 1, 2025
The process of producing federal history rarely results from individuals working alone. Instead, history is a collaborative process that involves professionals reaching out across disciplines, integrating skills and experiences in creative ways. This occurs within organizations, but also between federal agencies, educational institutions, and in dialogue with the public.
This year’s SHFG conference will explore the ways in which federal historians, curators, archivists, editors, administrators, contractors, and other professionals make federal history across boundaries and in collaboration with colleagues and with the public. We will discuss both the challenges this brings and the benefits of creating projects about and within the federal government.
The Society for History in the Federal Government welcomes proposals on:
Commemoration
Digital history initiatives
New technologies
Collaborative projects
Cross-agency products
Declassification
Preservation
Social media
Oral history
Traditional formats and printed materials
Special projects
Proposed panels may be presented in the following formats:
ROUNDTABLE: Includes short presentations by panelists, followed by discussion and feedback from panelists and from the audience. 3-6 participants.
STRUCTURED CONVERSATION: Facilitated, participant-driven discussions designed to prioritize audience dialogue and contain little or no formal presentations. 3-6 participants.
LIGHTNING ROUNDS: Participants make short presentations—no more than 5 minutes each—to summarize their research or projects. Up to 15 participants.
WORKSHOP: A workshop provides concrete practical tools and lessons for a smaller group of attendees on a specific subject or skill. Organizers submit proposals, and after acceptance attendees can register for the workshop. 15-30 participants.
TRADITIONAL PANEL: At least three presenters, a chair, and a commentator. 3-6 participants.
INDIVIDUAL PAPERS: While individual proposals are welcome, individual presentations will be combined with similar proposals to make a full session. The Program Committee will consider proposals for entire sessions before reviewing individual papers.
OTHER: Proposals for additional formats not described above are welcome.
Submission Process:
All proposals should include a title and session abstract (200-300 words), brief abstracts of each participant (200-300 words), and biographical paragraphs and contact information for each participant. Individual paper proposals should include a brief abstract (200-300 words), a brief biographical paragraph, and contact information for the presenter.
All proposals should be submitted using this Google Form.
Please direct any questions to the Program Committee at: shfg.primary@gmail.com