Gender history 2026

International Conference: Women’s and Gender History in Times of Challenges to Democracy, Diversity and Responsibility

To be held at Bielefeld University, 9 to 11 September 2026

Organised by the Interdisciplinary Center for Gender Studies (IZG), Bielefeld University, and the Arbeitskreis Historische Frauen- und Geschlechterforschung (AKHFG), with support from the focus area “Contestations of Gender and Democracy” (ConGeD), Bielefeld University.

Women's and gender history have been changing the discipline of history for at least 50 years. They challenge conventional narratives and periodisations and disrupt perceived notions of what and who could become the object of historical inquiry. They pose new questions and do not hesitate to employ the entire repertoire of historical methods, sources and theories to answer them - self-confidently, critically, creatively. They examine and safeguard materials in and for established and new archives. They utilise the growing possibilities of digital methods. They respond to the challenges of the present, look to neighbouring disciplines for inspiration and engage with theoretical concepts from feminist theory, queer and trans studies and post-colonial studies. They take an appreciative, self-critical and intersectional approach to their own history (of origins), including the mechanisms of exclusion and power that also characterise women's and gender history and neighbouring fields such as the history of sexualities.

This success story contrasts with an often discerning questioning and ongoing marginalisation of the entire approach within mainstream history. The current challenges to democracy, diversity and gender equality, the increasing attacks on the bodies and lives of women and queer and trans* people worldwide, the overwhelming problems of climate change, wars, poverty and growing social injustice also have an impact on women's and gender history in and outside academic contexts. Gender history in all its variations seems therefore more relevant than ever today, but must also face up to new questions and tasks. We therefore want to use this opportunity to take stock and develop future perspectives:

Where does women's history stand today? How has it changed and what contribution does it continue to make to answering pressing questions? Where is the innovative potential of gender history? What has been achieved so far and where is the journey heading? Which historical topics, which methodological and theoretical questions intrigue us? Where do we see a need for research? How can we and how do we want to respond to current (scientific, political, social and academic) challenges? Where can we find new opportunities for co-operation, new points of contact, new sources of inspiration? How does women's and gender history position itself nationally and internationally, within the study of different historical periods and with regard to other disciplines?

Why does so-called "general history" continue to struggle with the reception of the results of women's and gender history? And what content and narratives of gender history reach the public? What does it mean for those involved to write, teach and study women's and gender history? Who works where and how on which topics? Who is excluded or runs the risk of being excluded? What effects do biography and social background, institutional context, political views, gender identity, sexual orientation and generational affiliation have on our work? How can we assert ourselves and work together in solidarity in times of massive cuts in the university sector and the elimination of entire professorships for women's and gender history? How does the situation in Germany differ from that in other countries? How do colleagues cope?

We are looking forward to a thematically diverse, methodologically and theoretically inclusive conference covering all historical periods and reflecting women's and gender history in all its variety and diversity. We would like to see contributions that not only present new empirical findings, but also situate their research self-reflectively in the field of women's and gender history, identify methodological and theoretical problems and/or question established approaches and concepts, put forward new theoretical proposals for discussion and generally invite a critical look at women's and gender history in its disciplinary and interdisciplinary constitution and interconnectedness.