Symposium: Global Childhood (s) and Histories of Science, Technology, and Medicine

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Sebastián Gil-Riaño, Associate Professor, History and Sociology of Science, University of Pennsylvania 

When: 16-18 November 2026 

Where: The Centre for History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Leeds (UK) 

Co-organisers: Dr. Elisabeth M. Yang, Dr. Franziska Kohlt, and Dr. Elizabeth Hoiem 

Modality: in-person with online presentation option 

This three-day symposium and workshop at the Centre for History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Leeds will bring together an international, muti-disciplinary group of scholars who work at the interface of the histories of science, medicine, and technology, and childhood studies. We welcome participants from across the humanities whose research concerns child health, medicine, technology and the psy-sciences, as well as applied fields including education, public policy, and information sciences. 

Reflective of current trends that signify the entangled histories of scientific cultures, knowledge, and technologies and the child, childhoods, and childism, the event will promote this innovative area of research and practice while supporting dialogue between different theoretical approaches and methodologies. There will be an opportunity to present research projects in the form of lighting talks, presentations, or writing workshops. You may also propose a panel or workshop designed to organize participation on a collaborative project or engagement with public policy, museum, and community outreach. Events will be primarily in-person with online presentation options explored depending on submissions. As a legacy of the event, the organizers will establish a global network of scholars in the history of science/medicine/technology and childhood studies, with the purpose of facilitating future events, collaborations, publications, and public outreach. 

Please submit your proposal using our conference management platform by 31 July, 2026. You will be asked to provide your contact information, a short biography (150 words), and a 3-page CV with your proposal. You will specify how you want to participate (lightning talk, presentation, workshop, etc.). To suggest a workshop, please explain what kind of writing, whether a book proposal, article, book chapter, dissertation, thesis, or other piece. For a collaborative project or public engagement, please clarify the stage of your project and what you hope to accomplish through the symposium. Proposal lengths (not including citations): 

• Lightning talk: 150-word description 

• Presentation (single scholar): 250-word description 

• Presentation panel (3-4 presenters): 250-word description each, submitted by the panel chair as a single document 

• Workshop article, book chapter, book proposal, or dissertation chapter: 500 words 

• Collaborative project or public engagement: 500 words 

Please contact the organizers with any queries at the following email address: histchildscience2026@gmail.com. 

*A limited number of travel bursaries are available to assist participants with travel costs. Priority will be given to PhD candidates and Early Career Researchers who have no access to funds to cover their travel expenses. If you are interested in applying for a bursary, you will have the opportunity to upload a statement (200 words max) explaining your needs.