Call for Papers: Sowing the Seeds VIII

CALL FOR PAPERS

SOWING THE SEEDS VIII: A WORKSHOP FOR EARLY CAREER MEDIEVAL ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL HISTORIANS × 13TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE RESEARCH GROUP FOR LATE MEDIEVAL ECONOMIC HISTORY

Medieval Political Economy

November 5th-6th 2026
Department of Economic History, London School of Economics
Centre for Late Antique and Medieval Studies, King’s College London

Keynote: Professor Oliver Volckart (London School of Economics)

How did medieval societies organize production, distribution, and exchange? What were the relationships between economic systems and political power? How did institutional frameworks shape individual agency and collective outcomes?

This two-day conference offers an exceptional opportunity for researchers to present their work, develop new collaborations, and engage with leading scholars in medieval economic and social history. We invite papers that explore the intersection of economic structures and political organization in medieval societies, broadly construed. Contributions might address labor coercion, fiscal systems, commercial regulation, property rights, governance, or any aspect of the medieval economy viewed through the lens of power, institutions, and political relationships. We particularly encourage submissions from researchers at all stages of doctoral and early postdoctoral careers.

The conference brings together two vibrant research communities: the UK-based Sowing the Seeds network and the Continental European Research Group for Late Medieval Economic History, creating a unique space for dialogue concerning the range of sources and methodologies used in medieval economic history. As a conference shared between LSE and KCL, we also aim to bridge generalist history departments and specialized economic history programs, to foster interdisciplinary conversation and support innovative (and collaborative) scholarship.

This conference will provide a supportive environment for presenting work-in-progress and workshopping new methodologies, where participants can receive constructive feedback from scholars working across diverse theoretical and methodological approaches. The event is designed to foster lasting research networks between UK and Continental European scholars, facilitating the kind of focused, cross-regional and interdisciplinary discussions that deepen our understanding of medieval economies and societies and build opportunities for collaboration.

We welcome papers engaging with medieval political economy but we define this broadly and invite proposals from researchers of all theoretical and methodological backgrounds on any aspect of medieval economic and social history. Regional and temporal boundaries are also broadly defined and we welcome papers from scholars working beyond medieval Europe.

Practical Details

The conference will take place over two days, with the first day at LSE and the second at KCL. Papers will be 20 minutes in length with time for discussion.

Travel Support

Subject to available funding, we expect to offer travel bursaries to support both UK-based and international PhD students and early career researchers. Details will be provided to successful applicants.

How to Apply

Please submit a CV and proposals of 300 words to Spike Gibbs by 31st March 2026.