Call for Papers – Scientific Internationalism for National Interests: Power Dynamics in the History of Science and Diplomacy before World War II (2026 ESHS/HSS Joint Meeting)

Title: Scientific internationalism for national interests: power dynamics in the history of science and diplomacy before World War II

Organizers: Daniel Gamito-Marques (NOVA School of Science and Technology), Lif Lund Jacobsen (Danish Arctic Institute, Copenhagen)

This symposium calls for papers promoting a historical and historiographical reconsideration of the notion of “scientific internationalism”, shifting the perspective from emphasis on cooperative aspects characteristic of past studies and considering the implicit and explicit cases of tensions, competition, even open conflicts, that developed as experts in science, technology, and medicine came together to discuss matters of common concern. This symposium is sponsored by the STAND commission (https://sciencediplomacyhistory.org/) 

Nationalist competition is integral to transnational conversations because experts in science, technology, and medicine come from different nationalities and states and are perceived as informal representatives of different worlds. This plurality of worlds often leads to tensions and contestation during negotiations over scientific matters. Opportunities for international scientific advancement simultaneously served as arenas in which states vied to assert power over their partners, and this calls for historians to analyze the power dynamics at play.

We welcome proposals that problematize negotiations that took place before World War II, as the contexts in which experts gathered became increasingly organized, from international congresses to formal associations.

International scientific conferences. Appearing in the late 18th century, international conferences became important events to discuss scientific matters. How have power dynamics and competition affected the standardization of scientific units, instruments, practices, nomenclature, and theories? And the coordination of responses to transnational threats, such as human public health concerns, agricultural pests, animal diseases, armament proliferation, or environmental destruction? And the trajectory of international projects and collaborations, as well as the roles played by national scientific academies and universities?

International scientific associations. In the second half of the 19th century, experts in science, technology, and medicine recognized the importance of creating permanent structures to organize scientific efforts. How were conversations affected by the international relations among the states that the experts informally represented? How have power dynamics and competition affected the choosing of cities to place the headquarters of international scientific associations? And the definition of their mission and what counted as fruitful research avenues? And discussions on scientific standardization, international projects, and facing transnational threats? And the trajectory of scientific disciplines?

International Scientific Unions. In the aftermath of World War I, Allied Powers created the International Research Council (IRC) to manage and control international scientific relations by excluding colleagues of the Central Powers, especially Germany, from negotiations, with significant scientific and diplomatic consequences. Various disciplines were represented in the International Unions created under the IRC, such as astronomy (IAU), mathematics (IMU), geology (IUGS), chemistry (IUPAC), physics (IUPAP), geography (IGU), or biology (IUBS). How has the creation of the IRC and its Unions influenced the trajectory of specific disciplines? How have experts responded to the exclusion of colleagues? Did they accept restrictions, or did they develop ways to circumvent them? How have power dynamics and competition adapted inside this new structure, including in discussions on standardization, international projects, and facing transnational threats?

Submission guidelines. Please submit your abstract (up to 2,000 characters, c.250 words) with a brief biography (up to 150 words), including affiliation, to dgm@fct.unl.pt and lifjacobsen@arktisk.dk no later than Friday 31 October 2025. Proposals that foster gender-equality and diversity, including researchers with various institutional affiliations, at diverse stages of their professional careers, with different geographical origins, and from underrepresented groups are particularly encouraged. For more information, please see the conference call here.

Funding for attendance. The STAND Commission is applying for funds to support the participation of early-career researchers in STAND-organized and STAND-sponsored panels. We are committed to provide opportunities for early-career researchers to apply for STAND grants to support their attendance at the 2026 ESHS/HSS Joint Meeting.