Call for Paper: Conference of Department of History
Title: International Conference
Theme: Revisiting History as a Discipline in Pakistan: Institutions, Policies, Pedagogies, and Future Directions Submission
Deadline for Abstract Submission: May 10, 2026 Conference
Conference Dates (s): June 27, 2026 to July 01st, 2026
Venue: Bara Gali Summer Campus, University of Peshawar
INTRODUCTION
In recent decades, the discipline of history in Pakistan has undergone significant institutional and intellectual change. Shifts in university governance, academic recruitment, curriculum design, and research priorities have reshaped the place of historical studies within higher education. While earlier generations of historians laid important foundations for the discipline, contemporary developments call for renewed reflection on the institutional, methodological, and pedagogical frameworks through which history is researched and taught in Pakistan.
Across many universities, history departments face a range of structural challenges. Declining enrolment, changing student preferences toward professional and marketoriented disciplines, and evolving institutional priorities have raised concerns about the sustainability and future growth of historical studies. In some regions, these pressures are compounded by limited faculty recruitment, restricted research resources, and reduced academic visibility.
At the same time, new opportunities are emerging. Greater access to archives, manuscripts, and digital resources has expanded the possibilities of historical research. Interdisciplinary engagement with anthropology, sociology, political science, archaeology, and environmental studies has opened fresh directions for inquiry. Growing public interest in heritage, collective memory, and cultural identity also underlines the continuing relevance of historical knowledge in contemporary society.
The National Conference on Revisiting History as a Discipline in Pakistan: Institutions, Policies, Pedagogies, and Future Directions seeks to provide a platform for historians, researchers, and academic stakeholders to critically examine the present condition of the discipline and explore constructive pathways for strengthening its institutional and intellectual foundations. By encouraging dialogue on research, teaching, and policy, the conference aims to contribute to a broader conversation on the future of history in Pakistan.
Sub-themes of the Conference
1. Institutional Development of History in Pakistan: The historical evolution of history departments, academic institutions, and research centres across Pakistan.
2. Curriculum Design and Pedagogical Approaches: Innovations in teaching methods, curriculum reform, and student engagement in history education.
3. Recruitment Policies, Academic Governance, and Institutional Reform: The impact of hiring practices, governance structures, and policy frameworks on the development of the discipline.
4. Changing Patterns of Student Enrolment: Shifts in student interests and their implications for the sustainability and future of history programmes.
5. Archives, Manuscripts, and the Preservation of Historical Sources: Access, preservation, digitisation, and use of archival materials and manuscripts for historical research.
6. Regional Histories and Emerging Research Directions: Studies of regional histories, local cultures, and diverse historical experiences in Pakistan.
7. Interdisciplinary Approaches to Historical Research: Integrating perspectives from allied disciplines to enrich historical inquiry.
8. Public History, Heritage, and Collective Memory: The role of museums, heritage institutions, commemorative practices, and public engagement in shaping historical understanding.
9. Digital Humanities and Historical Research: Opportunities and challenges presented by digital tools and technologies in historical scholarship.
Conference Schedule
Call for Papers: 20 February, 2026
Deadline for Abstract Submission: 10 May, 2026
Notification of Acceptance: 20 May, 2026
Deadline for Full Paper Submission: 10 June, 2026
Conference Dates: 28—30 June 2026
Contact: Kindly send your 250–300 word abstract and a brief CV to:
1. historyconference@uop.edu.pk.
2. zahid_ali@uop.edu.pk