Call for Papers: Joint Baltic Connections and the Scandinavian Society for Economic and Social History Conference

Call for Papers (DL: February 15, 2026)
Joint Baltic Connections and the Scandinavian Society for Economic and Social History Conference
June 10–12, 2026 | University of Jyväskylä, Finland

The Baltic Connections 2026: A Conference in Social Science History will be organized in collaboration with the Annual Conference of the Scandinavian Society for Economic and Social History.

We invite scholars in economic, social, and business history—as well as related social sciences—to explore a wide range of themes focusing on the Nordic and Baltic regions and beyond. The conference seeks to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration among researchers from Western, Nordic, Central, and Eastern Europe, as well as from around the world.

We welcome proposals addressing topics in economic, social, and business history. Possible themes include, but are not limited to, comparative and transnational “East–West” historical processes, trade, migration, comparative development, international political economy, and the diffusion of institutions, ideas, and cultural influences. We also encourage work on demographic and labor history, theoretical and methodological questions, the use of digital tools, and proposals for thematic sessions and roundtrounables.

The conference will feature two keynote lectures: (Wabash College), delivering the seventh Riitta Hjerppe Lecture in Social Science History, and (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign). 

The deadline for proposals is February 15, 2026. In addition to individual papers, we also welcome proposals for complete three- to four paper sessions. Participants will be notified of acceptance by March 10, 2026, at the latest.

To ensure full consideration, please include:

• A main contact person and their email address
• Names, affiliations, and emails for all participants (including co-authors not attending)

Proposals for individual papers should be up to 500 words.

Panel proposals should include a panel description of up to 500 words, plus a list of papers and/or presenters with brief 150-word abstracts for each paper.

Please submit proposals via the conference website:

The conference is organized by the University of Jyväskylä, University of Helsinki, Finnish Economic History Association, and Finnish Society for the History of Technology. For more information, please email , or and directly.

credit: Swim Jump Photo, photographer: Tero Takalo-Eskola.