Call for papers - InterQueer: Crossing Queer and Intersectional Lenses in Historical Practice

Padova, 29-30 January 2026

The research groups Queer and Feminist Studies at the European University Institute and Storie di Sessualità e Genere at the University of Padua invite researchers to a two-day workshop aimed at fostering new reflections on queer and/or intersectional perspectives in historical research. The workshop seeks to critically discuss how tools, categories, and practices are shaped by heteronormative assumptions and the presupposition of fixed identities, and, conversely, how queer and intersectional approaches can help us to interpret the past in a fuller and more complex manner.

The workshop aims to explore potential contact zones between these two approaches, or potential challenges to working with both, and to find out about their combined richness. We are particularly interested in critically engaging with queer and intersectional methodologies beyond Anglo-American arenas and in giving researchers the chance to apply innovative questions and methods to their own empirical research. The workshop's primary objective is to stimulate methodological discussion and, through collective reflection, to begin theorising the interplay between queer and intersectional history. The workshop will be structured into three main parts:

• Two keynote lectures, delivered by Valentina Fusari (University of Turin) who is carrying out an ERC project on the Red Sea region to unpack the “mixedness” of unions and offspring since the 19th century; and Régis Schlagdenhauffen (École des Hautes études en Sciences Sociales, Paris) whose work investigates the social history of sexual categories in contemporary history
• A presentation and discussion of participants’ case studies based on their research projects. Each presentation will last approximately 15 minutes, followed by comments from the two keynote speakers and a group discussion
• At the end of the workshop, there will be an opportunity for collective reflection on key research categories and practices, with the aim of developing them into a methodological publication that brings together the selected case studies.

We invite scholars of early modern and modern history to submit proposals based on their empirical research which investigate the contributions of queer or intersectional historical approaches, or the intertwining of both. The call for papers is open to everyone, but early career scholars are particularly encouraged to apply. Please send a proposal of a maximum of 500 words and a short bio to interqueer.padova@gmail.com by November 28, 2025. Paper drafts will be pre-circulated two weeks before the workshop to foster in person discussion and exchange. While, for practical reasons, English will be the language of discussion during the workshop, we also welcome contributions in other languages, as long as arrangements can be made to provide listeners with a written translation at the time of presentation. The workshop will be held at the University of Padua, InterQueer: Crossing Queer and Intersectional Lenses in Historical Practice, on January 29-30, 2026. We may be able to partially fund researchers who cannot otherwise receive funding to attend the workshop. Please specify in your application if you need a bursary, for what reason, and to cover what costs.

Organizing committee: Giselle Bernard (European University Institute), Riccardo Bulgarelli (European University Institute/SciencesPo Grenoble), Francesca Campani (University of Padua), Pietro Galeotti (University of Padua/Venice Ca’ Foscari), Chiara Lacroix (European University Institute), Alberto Rizzelli (University of Padua/Venice Ca’ Foscari)