YSI Africa WG @ the 19th AEHN Meeting 2026

The Young Scholars Initiative (YSI) Africa Working Group (AWG) in partnership with the African Economic History Network (AEHN) presents the 2026 pre-conference for the AEHN 19^th Annual meeting.  This year’s conference is hosted in collaboration with Unit of Economic History at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. Participants accepted for the YSI pre-conference will therefore, have an opportunity to attend and present their papers at the main conference to be held from the 23^rd to the 24^th of October.

The YSI, AWG invites applications from participants working on any topic on the economic history of Africa from the colonial period to present. The papers can cover the subject area from a methodological, theoretical or historiographical perspective. This year’s pre-conference seeks to foster discussion on how the research, writing and historiography of on economic history of African has transitioned over time. Hence papers that demonstrate evidence of thorough field research and evaluation of sources will be given first preference.

In bid to limit logistical challenges, this year, we will only accept papers from scholars based in Europe. This is an opportunity for them to meet, present and share ideas. Unlike last year’s preconference which focused mainly on mentorship, this year, the working group is focusing on bringing young scholars based in Europe working the economic history of Africa to form study networks and groups that will continue to thrive even after the pre-conference. Selected participants will also exchange their papers before the pre-conference and will give extensive feedback during the conference.

Interested participants should submit their abstracts, via the application form, not later than 31st of August. The abstract should include the following:

1. Name
2. Title
3. Contact details
4. Affiliation

The abstract should not exceed 300 words.