CALL FOR PAPERS

International Conference

Empires and (Post)colonialism: (Counter)Narratives of Power in Educational media in a Global Perspective

21 and 22 November 2025

Braunschweig, Germany

Following the 1st International Conference On Textbooks: National and Global Historical Perspectives, which took place in Coimbra in November 2023, a call for proposals is now being issued for a second conference held on 21 and 22 November 2025 in Braunschweig, Germany.

Under the theme Empires and (Post)Colonialism: (Counter)Narratives of Power in Educational Media in a Global Perspective, the objective is to convene researchers in education, didactics, psychology and literature, examining the historical, geographical, political, social, cultural and religious intersections between old and new empires, formerly colonized territories and their peripheries. The conference intends to explore how empires’ and colonialism’s historical legacies continue to influence educational systems, curricula, and educational media in various global contexts. Participants will have the opportunity to examine the role of education in perpetuating or challenging existing power structures and social inequalities. Additionally, the conference will address strategies for decolonizing education and fostering pedagogies that promote reconciliation, social justice, and intercultural understanding. The conference aims to facilitate reflection on local, regional, national, and global perspectives, integrating these viewpoints from diverse geographical and chronological contexts.

By proposing to bring together academics and educators from several disciplines, this conference seeks to promote the exchange of ideas and methodologies, potentially leading to new perspectives and opportunities for collaborative research. This interdisciplinary dialogue aims to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the complex relationships between the old and new empires and colonialism, their legacies, and their contemporary impact on education.

We welcome contributions

• on the role of educational institutions in legitimising systems of imperial domination and (post)colonialism
• on representations of empires in national narratives in educational media, e.g. ideologies, stereotypes and myths about empires
• on new educational materials and the empires’ and colonial legacy in the digital age
• on post-colonial approaches, such as focussing on processes of resistance and challenges to colonial narratives and pedagogies
• on memory culture and memory practice with regard to empire and colonialism
• on empire and environmental impacts
• on links between history and social science education, e.g. on racism and social inclusion or exclusion with regard to empire and colonialism

The conference will be held in English. Funding is being sought to help support travel and accommodation costs. Further information will be provided soon.

Important dates:

Deadline for paper submission: 13 April 2025

Announcement of acceptance: 9 May 2025

Preliminary programme: 1 July 2025

Final programme: 1 September 2025

Conference dates: 21 and 22 November 2025

Criteria for submission:

Abstracts of 250 to 300 words in English, with a title, five keywords, a short biographical note (up to 100 words), institutional affiliation and contact details of the author(s) (email) should be sent to coloquiomanuaisescolares@uc.pt

Contact us:

If you have any queries, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at coloquiomanuaisescolares@uc.pt

Thank you! We look forward to welcoming you to Braunschweig!