The New Historians Conference is an annual conference hosted at Te Herenga Waka / Victoria University of Wellington, by and for postgraduate students.
The year 2026 marks the 20th anniversary of the New Historians Conference. To commemorate 20 years, this year’s conference considers the theme of memory. To do history is to listen to others’ memories, to re-remember stories which may have been forgotten or silenced, and to shape our memory of the past, and we invite presenters to consider the ways that they engage with memory as they do history. We are especially interested in papers which address one or more of the following:
- How do individuals and communities remember or forget?
- How do we engage with memory as we research?
- How do we remember through forms like storytelling, art, song, and/or material culture?
- How does remembering the past help us shape a better future?
In addition to these topics, we welcome broad and creative interpretations of the theme of memory. Furthermore, we welcome papers related to all areas of historical inquiry, all historical periods and geographical areas. Even if you feel that your presentation doesn’t fit the theme, please apply anyway!
We invite presentations from a broad range of disciplines, including but not limited to Anthropology, Art History, Classics, Education, Film and Media Studies, History, International Relations, Literature, Māori and Pacific Studies, Political Science, Religious Studies, Sociology , and Theatre.
The conference is open to postgraduate students in Oceania at Hons, MA and PhD level, including those within 24 months of completion of their last degree.
There will be a modest registration fee of $40. There will also be a conference dinner on Saturday 29 August, to be paid for separately.
To apply, send an abstract of 200-250 words along with a short biographical note and contact details to newhistorians@vuw.ac.nz. Applications to present close on 26 July (having been extended from 19 July).
Conference registration closes on 4 August and anyone (regardless of whether or not they are/were a postgrad) is welcome to attend by registering here.