Category: news

Last Call (Deadline 16 January 2026): 12th Tensions of Europe Conference — Eindhoven (8–10 July 2026)

This is a final reminder that the Call for Papers for the 12th Tensions of Europe (ToE) Conference is about to close: the deadline is 16 January 2026 (in two days). Hosted at Eindhoven University of Technology, ToE is a major international venue for scholars of the history of technology and material culture, and this year’s theme—“The meaning of the past in sustainable futures”—speaks directly to current debates on inclusive and green transitions. Submissions are welcomed in a range of formats (including panels and individual papers, as well as more experimental session types), and hybrid set-ups can be proposed. If you work in the field, we strongly encourage ICOHTEC affiliates to take this opportunity and submit now. (Eindhoven History Lab)

More information: https://www.eindhovenhistorylab.nl/toe-2026/

Important Update: ICOHTEC 2026 Annual Meeting — Deadline Extended & CfP Revised

Good news for everyone preparing a proposal for the ICOHTEC 2026 Annual Meeting: the submission deadline has been extended to 28 February 2026. At the same time, the Call for Papers has been slightly revised, so we strongly encourage prospective participants to check the updated version before submitting. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please consult both the ICOHTEC Annual Meeting page (https://www.icohtec.org/w-annual-meeting/) and the conference website (https://icohtec2026.hs.duth.gr/).

Call for Applications: ICOHTEC PhD School 2026 – Mexico City

We are pleased to announce the ICOHTEC PhD School 2026, which will take place in a hybrid format at the UNAM in Mexico City on 24-25 November 2026. This year’s theme, “Engaging the History of Technology: Bridging Disciplines and Perspectives for Global Challenges”, invites emerging scholars to reflect on how the history of technology addresses modern issues like climate change and artificial intelligence.

Nos complace anunciar la Escuela Doctoral ICOHTEC 2026, que se llevará a cabo en formato híbrido en la UNAM, Ciudad de México, los días 24 y 25 de noviembre de 2026. Bajo el lema “Comprometidos con la historia de la tecnología: conectar disciplinas y perspectivas para los desafíos globales”, invitamos a investigadores en formación a debatir sobre la relevancia de nuestra disciplina frente a retos como el cambio climático y la inteligencia artificial.

Key Details / Detalles Clave:

  • Target: PhD students and post-docs. / Dirigido a estudiantes de doctorado e investigadores posdoctorales.

  • Format: Hybrid (In-person & Online). / Formato: Híbrido (Presencial y Virtual).

  • Cost: Free registration. / Costo: Inscripción gratuita.

  • Deadline / Fecha límite: 20 March / Marzo 2026.

Full details and application forms available here / Todos los detalles y formularios aquí: 👉 CLICCA QUI / CLICK HERE: ICOHTEC PhD School 2026 Page

More timely information on the ICOHTEC website: News, Calls for Papers, and Job Opportunities

To increase ICOHTEC’s informational support for our community, I (Simone Fari, website editor) and Anna Batzeli (Newsletter Editor) have coordinated our efforts to share and reuse key materials across the Newsletter and the website.

As part of this update, the News section has been fully renewed: it is now up to date, redesigned with a clearer layout, and more user-friendly—making it easier to follow the Association’s most recent announcements and developments. In many cases, selected items published in News will also be featured in the most relevant dedicated section for easier access.

We have also created two new sections, especially valuable for researchers—particularly early-career scholars—working in the history of technology and the history of science and technology. The Calls for Papers section is already online and includes a selection of current opportunities. A second section dedicated to Job Opportunities will be launched soon.

If you would like to suggest a news item, a call for papers, or an academic job opportunity for inclusion, please contact Simone Fari (fari@ugr.es) or Anna Batzeli (abatzeli@he.duth.gr)

New Year’s Greetings from the ICOHTEC President

As we begin a new year, we are pleased to share the New Year’s message from the ICOHTEC President, Dr. Nelson Arellano-Escudero:

“As we embrace the spirit of new beginnings around the world, let’s celebrate the rich diversity of cultures and traditions that mark this special time. On January 1st, we joyfully welcome the Gregorian New Year, wishing everyone joy and prosperity in the year ahead. As we approach the festive celebrations of Chinese New Year, since February 17, may the Year of the Horse bring you dynamic change, passion, and opportunity for bold actions and new beginnings.
For those celebrating Rosh Hashaná past September 22-24, we wish you a sweet and fulfilling new year during the days of Tishri. As Diwali lights up our lives in 20th October, may the Festival of Lights illuminate your path with joy and prosperity. Embracing the Islamic New Year during Muharram, June, may this season bring peace and blessings to you and your loved ones.
The Thai New Year, celebrated through the joyful water festivities of Songkran from April 13 to 15, invites us to wash away our worries and welcome renewal. Similarly, as we celebrate Thingyan in April, may your new year be filled with happiness and joy. On October 31, as we honor the Celtic New Year (Samhain), let us reflect on the past and eagerly welcome the future. Lastly, during the Cambodian New Year in April, may your celebrations be joyful and bright.
In South America and Polynesia, as part of the southern hemisphere, the first nations celebrated their new years with the winter solstice last July: Wiñol Tripantu (Mapuche), Inti Raymi (Andean people), Aringa ora o koro (Rapa Nui).
Wherever you are and whatever culture you celebrate the New Year with, while the Northern Hemisphere has experienced its longest night and the Southern Hemisphere its shortest, the planet keeps turning. Our thoughts are with all those who passed away, and also with those who suffer the worst consequences of violence and deserve justice in so many places around the world. From the history of technology, we wish that peace and brotherhood will prevail.

Dr. Nelson Arellano-Escudero
President ICOHTEC”

ICOHTEC Newsletter No. 226 (December 2025) is out — our most substantial issue yet

The new ICOHTEC Newsletter (No. 226, December 2025) marks a clear step forward in both scope and format: a richly curated, 77-page “digest” designed not just for quick scanning, but for a relaxed, holiday-style read.

What’s new is the breadth and editorial ambition. Alongside core ICOHTEC updates, the issue brings together interviews, themed features, and carefully organised resource sections—creating a genuinely interdisciplinary panorama of the history of technology community and its conversations.

Highlights include:

  • ICOHTEC 2026: the Call for Papers for the 53rd Annual Meeting in Alexandroupolis (Greece), 8–11 October 2026, plus an interview with the Programme Committee Chair.

  • Voices from the community: an interview with Martino Davide, recipient of the ICOHTEC Turriano Prize.

  • ICON (Journal of ICOHTEC): a special issue call on “Plastic Environments”, along with updates on the current issue and a “throwback” feature.

  • Research in action: a detailed report on MoPRA 2025 and its outcomes, bridging heritage, controversy, and public engagement around plastics.

  • A stronger “what’s next” section: expanded Funding & Job Opportunities and Calls for Papers, spanning topics from digital waste and sustainability to green transitions and beyond.

  • In the Loop: fresh items on podcasts, courses, and digital humanities resources—perfect for browsing between commitments.

You can read the full issue on the ICOHTEC website:https://www.icohtec.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Icohtec_Newsletter_226_December-2025.pdf

Call for Papers | 2026 Baltic Conference on the History and Philosophy of Science (Riga)

The 2026 Baltic Conference on the History and Philosophy of Science invites paper proposals for the theme “Making and Remaking Science.” The conference explores how science has been made, remade, and transformed in the Baltics across different political regimes and historical periods—while giving special attention to the post–Second World War restructuring of science under Soviet rule, and to comparative perspectives from the wider Baltic Sea region (including the Nordic countries).

We welcome contributions on how scientific knowledge, practices, and communities have been reshaped through political change, institutional reorganization, and shifting ideological frameworks, across the natural sciences, medicine, applied sciences, and the humanities.

Key information

  • Location: Riga, Latvia

  • Dates: 10–12 June 2026

  • Abstract length: up to 2000 characters

  • Submission deadline: 15 February 2026

  • Submission format: online (Google Form – see the full PDF)

  • Registration opens: 15 March 2026

Full details and the submission link are available in the complete CFP PDF (link below).

Call for Papers BCHPS 2026

Call for Papers — ICON Special Issue “Plastic Environments”

ICON (ICOHTEC’s peer-reviewed journal) is preparing a special issue titled “Plastic Environments” and invites paper proposals exploring plastics and their environmental, social, economic, and cultural dimensions from historical perspectives.

We welcome contributions across a wide range of topics, including (but not limited to) plastic production and recycling, consumer cultures, intended and unintended impacts, and heritage/museum contexts.

Submission: Please send a 300–400 word abstract + short CV by 5 January 2026.
Contact (guest editors): Florian Bettel and Stefan Poser.

📎 The official CFP is attached for full details and guidelines:

cfp icon plastic environments 2025-final

Icohtec 2026 Conference Website Now Online

We are pleased to announce that the official website for the Icohtec 2026 conference is now online and available to the public.

The webpage includes initial information about next year’s conference and will be updated regularly with further details in the coming months.

We encourage the Icohtec community to visit the site and stay informed about upcoming news regarding the programme, participation details, and practical information.

Official website: https://icohtec2026.hs.duth.gr/