Dates: 2–3 July 2026 Venue: University of the Balearic Islands (Faculty of Philosophy and Letters)
The consequences of epidemics extend far beyond their immediate effects on public health and the resulting crises of morbidity and/or mortality. Historically, their broader social and political impact—particularly that of cholera—has been the subject of sustained scholarly debate. Researchers have examined the extent to which epidemic cycles influenced the formation of the liberal state and its territorial configuration, modes of institutional governance, the medicalization of society, funerary practices, and processes of urban development. These dynamics unfolded within a context of rapid population growth, political change, and scientific and technological transformation. Particular attention has also been paid to the differentiated impact of epidemics according to gender and across diverse social groups.
Building on these premises, the aim of the seminar is to analyse the short-, medium-, and long-term consequences of epidemics in the contemporary period (nineteenth and twentieth centuries), with particular emphasis on their social, political-administrative, cultural, urban, and gendered effects. The seminar will address the following thematic strands:
– The relationship between epidemic cycles and political and institutional change
– Urban transformation and epidemics
– Epidemics, the circulation of ideas, and cultural change
– Gendered inequalities and the differential impact of epidemics on men and women
This meeting is organised within the framework of the research project ‘Epidemics, State, and Socioeconomic Inequalities: Predictability and Persistence, Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries’ (Grant reference: PID2021-128010OB-I00).
Scholars are invited to participate in the seminar by submitting a paper proposal aligned with the seminar’s objectives. Proposals should consist of a title and an abstract of 300–350 words and must be submitted by 1 May 2026 via email to:
– Pere Salas Vives: pere.salas@uib.cat
– Joana Maria Pujadas Mora: jpujadasmo@uoc.edu
Registration is free of charge. Notification of acceptance will be communicated by 15 May 2026.
Organisers
Pere Salas-Vives: Department of Historical Sciences and Theory of the Arts, University of the Balearic Islands
Joana Maria Pujadas-Mora: Department of Arts and Humanities, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (Spain) & Centre for Demographic Studies, Autonomous University of Barcelona (Spain)
This seminar is also supported by the Spanish and Portuguese Historical Demography Society (ADEH), COST-Action GREATLEAP (CA22116) and the IUSSP Panel ‘Epidemics and Contagious Diseases: The Legacy of the Past’. There is no funding available from GREATLEAP for travel and accomodation costs.
