53rd ICOHTEC Annual Meeting: early bird registration closing soon

Early bird registration for the 53rd ICOHTEC Annual Meeting is closing soon. Participants wishing to benefit from the discounted registration fee are encouraged to secure their ticket before the early bird deadline, 10 June 2026.

ICOHTEC 2026 will take place in Alexandroupolis, Greece, from 8 to 11 October 2026, under the theme “Engaging the History of Technology. Bridging Disciplines and Perspectives for Global Challenges.”

Registration is available through the conference website:
https://icohtec2026.hs.duth.gr/

We look forward to welcoming the ICOHTEC community in Alexandroupolis.

James Williams

We just received the very sad news that our Honorary Member James Williams has passed away. He is well known for his research in the historical relationship between people, technology, and the environment. His opus embresses Energy and the Making of Modern California (1997) as well as numerous articles. His “Understanding the Place of Humans in Nature” in Illusory Boundary: Environment and Technology in History (2010) has been widely cited.

As a long-time member, he contributed to shaping ICOHTEC, served on the board in the 1990s, as vice president from 2001-2008, as president from 2008-2011, and as editor of ICON from 2011-2015. Last, but not least he was the piano player of ICOHTEC’s Jazz Band. A short article about him is published on ICOHTEC’s homepage: https://www.icohtec.org/a-homepage-section-honorary-members/. We will miss him deeply. An appeciation of his oeuvre will be published soon.

ICOHTEC Newsletter No. 230 (April 2026) is now online

We are pleased to announce the publication of ICOHTEC Newsletter 230 (April 2026). This new issue features an interview with Stefan Poser (ICOHTEC President 2021–2025), important updates on the 53rd ICOHTEC Annual Meeting (including early-bird registration and practical travel information), and the Turriano ICOHTEC Prize 2026 call for submissions. You will also find news from ICON, recently published books and research, and a rich selection of featured events, funding and job opportunities, and calls for papers. Read the full issue via the ICOHTEC Publications/Newsletter page: https://www.icohtec.org/w-publications/

ICOHTEC Newsletter No. 229 (March 2026) is now online

We are pleased to announce the publication of ICOHTEC Newsletter 229 (March 2026). This issue opens with the Turriano ICOHTEC Prize 2026 call for submissions and continues with fresh ICOHTEC updates, including two interviews with members of the Programme Committee for the 53rd Annual Meeting. Readers will also find a look back at past newsletter issues, a spotlight on new research and publications (including a new open-access volume on deindustrialising cities), a project report on postindustrial peripheries, and a wide selection of featured events, calls, funding opportunities, job announcements, and calls for papers.

The new issue is available via the ICOHTEC Publications/Newsletter page: https://www.icohtec.org/w-publications/

CfP: “Concrete and the Making of Eastern Europe: From Interimperial Networks to the International Socialist Division of Labor” (Online, 26–27 January 2027)

The “Art, Environment, Ecology” research group at the Zentralinstitut für Kunstgeschichte (Munich) invites abstracts for an online conference exploring the material practices and geopolitical dynamics of concrete production, use, and disposal in Eastern Europe across the twentieth century. The organisers welcome interdisciplinary contributions engaging themes such as extractivism and resource infrastructures, concrete-driven development (urbanisation, industrialisation, housing and typologies), and the environmental and political histories of waste and pollution; the conference will conclude with a keynote by Kim Förster (University of Manchester). Abstracts (max 400 words) plus a short biography (max 150 words) should be submitted in English by 15 April 2026 to a.masgras@zikg.eu; applicants will receive a response by 15 May 2026.

More information: https://www.zikg.eu/aktuelles/nachrichten/cfp-concrete-and-the-making-of-eastern-europe-from-interimperial-net-works-to-the-international-socialist-division-of-labor (zikg.eu)

CfP: IEEE International Conference on Cyber Humanities (IEEE CH 2026) — Venice, 7–9 September 2026

The IEEE International Conference on Cyber Humanities (IEEE CH) invites paper submissions for its 2026 edition, to be held in Venice (Italy) on 7–9 September 2026. Co-sponsored by the IEEE Systems, Man, and Cybernetics Society, the conference focuses on theoretical and applied research on technologies for the Social Sciences and Humanities, including arts, heritage, history, archaeology, linguistics, libraries, and related fields. IEEE CH frames SSH as a critical human–cyber–physical ecosystem and welcomes work along the digital continuum of cultural assets—digitization, curation, protection, reuse, and dissemination—with particular attention to trust, resilience, and sustainability. The paper submission deadline is 12 April 2026.

More information: https://ieee-ch.org

CfP: DARK MATTER — Revisiting the Architecture of Coal in Post-War Europe (Dublin, 5–6 November 2026)

The ERC-funded ACME project (Architecture of Coal in Modern Europe, Advanced Grant 2024–2030) invites submissions for DARK MATTER: Revisiting the Architecture of Coal in Post-War Europe, an in-person conference hosted at the Irish Architectural Archive (Dublin) on 5–6 November 2026. The organisers welcome interdisciplinary proposals exploring coal and post-war modernisation through themes such as the architecture of coal modernisation, visual culture and propaganda, infrastructure, institutional care for labour (baths, hospitals, schools, clubs, libraries, social networks), housing and settlement, and the transitions and afterlives of extractive landscapes. The keynote speaker is Łukasz Galusek (Silesian Museum, Katowice), with guest expert panellists including Tom Avermaete, Stefan Berger, Carola Hein, and Imre Szeman (others to be confirmed). Submissions should be made via the organisers’ online form.

More information / submission form: https://forms.office.com/

Reminder: ICOHTEC PhD School 2026 — Applications close 20 March 2026

A friendly reminder that applications for the ICOHTEC PhD School 2026 will close soon (Friday, 20 March 2026, 18:00 UTC). The School will take place in hybrid format at UNAM, Mexico City, on 24–25 November 2026, and is open to PhD students and postdocs working in the history of technology and related fields. Participation is free of charge, and the programme offers a valuable opportunity to discuss research in an international setting. Applicants should submit the required materials (including CV, statement of purpose, and a recommendation letter) via the official call pag

More information and application details: https://www.icohtec.org/icohtec-phd-school-2026-escuela-doctoral-icohtec-2026/

ICOHTEC 2026 Annual Meeting — Submission Deadline Extended to 15 March

In response to the strong interest in the 53rd ICOHTEC Annual Meeting and to accommodate colleagues who experienced technical difficulties during the submission process, the deadline for abstracts and proposals has been extended to 15 March 2026. The meeting will take place in Alexandroupolis, Greece, from 8 to 11 October 2026, under the theme “Engaging the History of Technology: Bridging Disciplines and Perspectives for Global Challenges.” This extension offers a final opportunity for prospective participants to complete and submit their work. We warmly encourage colleagues who were affected by website issues—or who need just a little more time—to take advantage of this additional period and send their proposals. Updated information is available on both the ICOHTEC Annual Meeting page and the official conference website. (icohtec.org)

ICOHTEC Annual Meeting page: https://www.icohtec.org/w-annual-meeting/
Conference website: https://icohtec2026.hs.duth.gr/

Reminder: ICOHTEC PhD School 2026 — Applications still open

This is a friendly reminder that applications are still open for the ICOHTEC PhD School 2026, which will take place in hybrid format at UNAM, Mexico City, on 24–25 November 2026. Open to PhD students and postdocs, this year’s School focuses on “Engaging the History of Technology: Bridging Disciplines and Perspectives for Global Challenges” and offers an excellent opportunity to discuss research in an international and stimulating environment.

With free registration and the possibility to participate in person or online, the School is an especially valuable opportunity for emerging scholars in the history of technology and related fields. We warmly encourage interested colleagues to apply before the deadline.

Application deadline: Friday, 20 March 2026, 18:00 UTC.

More information and application details:
https://www.icohtec.org/icohtec-phd-school-2026-escuela-doctoral-icohtec-2026/

Original announcement:
https://www.icohtec.org/2026/01/13/call-for-applications-icohtec-phd-school-2026-mexico-city/