The Society for Military History

Calls for Papers and Panels

CALL FOR PAPERS
The LBJ Presidential Library and Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library are inviting emerging scholars to submit a presentation abstract to be a featured speaker during the National Archives & Records Administration's first annual Vietnam War Symposium, held on September 24th - 25th, 2025.

For the purposes of these submissions, the term emerging scholars includes, but is not strictly limited to: PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, and early-career faculty.

The symposium's theme is "Forgotten Humanity: The Personal Stories of the Vietnam War."

This symposium seeks to explore stories of the war not related to combat strategy and tactics. Our goal is to enhance the future of Vietnam War scholarship by examining the human experience and showcasing new and emerging scholars. Presentations might examine, for example, the everyday realities of service in Vietnam, relations between Americans and Vietnamese, veterans’ experiences after returning from Vietnam, and the literature, film, and music of the war.

Each scholars' program is scheduled for one hour. The guest speaker will present their topic for approximately 40 minutes allowing time for audience participation and questions at the end. Each program also includes a Scholar Spotlight where we get to know a little bit more about each of the up-and-coming scholars.

Submission packets should include the presentation abstract, applicant contact information, education status, and academic goals summary. Email submission packets to the National Archives care of richard.weld@nara.gov with the subject line "Vietnam Symposium" no later than May 30, 2025. Selected participants will be notified by July 4, 2025, and will receive a modest honorarium for their participation.

CALL FOR PAPERS
Material Matters: It’s in the Details
January 24, 2026

The vast majority of participants in the military events of the long 18th century left no written traces of themselves. Fortunately for scholars, and the public, evidence of their presence survives in material form. From the arms they carried, to the archaeological evidence of their presence, the material experience of soldiering extensively survives if we look carefully. Often seen as mementos or souvenirs of war, or as distinct areas of avocational collecting, military material culture is pervasive, yet understudied, as a rich body of material culture.

However, “military material culture” is not limited to the weapons men wielded or the uniforms they wore. The dense networks of manufacturing supporting early modern militaries connected civilians across the world and expands our definition of this area of study. Furthermore, militaries left their impact on societies through the appropriation and re-use of materials, as well as physically on landscapes shaped by the presence, or absence, of soldiers. Thus, material culture provides a unique and compelling way to engage with topics and individuals for which no written sources survive.

The Fort Ticonderoga Museum seeks papers relating broadly to material culture made, used, or altered in a military context. From soldier’s encounters with domestic furnishings on campaign, to the weapons designed and built for battle. We are seeking new research from established scholars in addition to graduate students, professionals, and artisans that relate to material culture made, used, or altered in a military context between roughly 1609-1815. Papers may engage but are not limited to:
 
·       Objects made for military purposes
·       Civilian objects used in military contexts
·       Archeological research into sites of military occupation
·       Ephemeral material cultures such as food or fuel
·       Military material culture crossing cultural, national, and geographic lines
·       Construction and fabrication of material culture
·       Craft, trade, experimental archeology, or living history perspectives on material culture
·       Art and representations of material culture in military contexts

This conference takes place online, using Zoom Webinars, on Saturday, January 24, 2026. Sessions are 30 minutes in length, followed by 10 minutes for audience questions. Traditional illustrated papers, combined with live or recorded videos of trade practice or object analysis, will all be accepted for consideration. Fort Ticonderoga may provide speakers with an honorarium. Please submit a 300-word abstract and CV by email by July 1, 2025 to Richard M. Strum, Director of Academic Programs: rstrum@fort-ticonderoga.org

CALL FOR PAPERS
RAF Museum Conference 2025
Organiser: Royal Air Force Museum
Conference: New Research Perspectives in Military Aviation Research
Place and Date: Royal Air Force Museum London, Thursday 4 – Friday 5 September 2025.
Application deadline: 25 April 2025.
Submission Type: Abstract, plus a biography and talk title.
Form of Submission: Maximum 300 words in English. Biographies should be no more than 200 words. Talk titles should be no more than 80 characters.
Applications to be sent to: megan.kelleher@rafmuseum.org

Overview
The RAF Museum is pleased to announce a call for papers for its conference entitled ‘New Research Perspectives in Military Aviation Research.’ This event will be held on Thursday 4-Friday 5 September 2025. The keynote for this year’s conference will be presented by Prof Holger Nehring and Dr Sam Alberti on material memories of the Cold War.

This conference will present research that offer new perspectives on military aviation, challenge the accepted historical consensus and review the powerful legacies of air power. The conference will have an interdisciplinary approach, including papers from history, international relations and defence studies among other disciplines.

Aviation was the defining technology of the 20th Century, but its relevance to contemporary history remains imperfectly understood. In particular, the conference will explore how the media – both of its time and in later commemorations – have shaped the standard view of Air Power. This aspect of history was used in the past and present to shape the narrative and memory of particular historic events, yet is an underrepresented field of study in Air Power.

The organisers welcome proposals that approach the conference’s broad theme of new perspectives in Air Power research. Proposals should demonstrate how their paper considers at least one of the following:

• Challenges standard views, as opposed to reinforcing the current consensus.
• Tests established explanations utilising methodologies not previously applied to the topic.
• Creates new interpretations of previously studied historical events.
• Studies Air Power from non-traditional perspectives.

Organisers would welcome proposals on:
1. Reconsidering doctrine and procurement.
2. The environmental impact of modern warfare.
3. The intersectionality of Air Power research and modern military strategy.
4. The representation and commemoration of events relating to Air Power.

Please send a paper title, abstract and biography to the Museum’s Historian and Academic Access Manager, Dr Megan Kelleher megan.kelleher@rafmuseum.org by Friday 25 April 2025.

Proposals for papers of 20 minutes should consist of a title, 300-word abstract, and a short biography (maximum 200 words).

We would particularly welcome papers from Doctoral Researchers, in addition to Early Career Researchers. There are a limited number of bursaries for those requiring financial support to present at the conference; please speak to Dr Megan Kelleher for more details.

CALL FOR PAPERS
International Society for the First World War Studies Conference, 1-3 October 2025
Location: University of Macedonia, Thessaloniki
Theme: ‘SEAS’

The International Society for First World War Studies and the Department of Balkan, Slavic & Oriental Studies at the University of Macedonia are delighted to announce ISFWWS’ 11th conference, to be held at the University of Macedonia in Thessaloniki on 1-3 October 2025. The city Thessaloniki played a very special role in the history of the First World War both as a base of the Entente, Serbian and Greek troops and as a port. However, as often happens with the naval dimension of the First World War, its maritime role often remained overlooked. To rectify that, this year the conference will focus on the naval side of the war with the broad theme of ‘Seas’.

We will be happy to consider proposals touching on any maritime aspects of the war, in the broadest possible sense and we would like to encourage historians, who do not usually focus on the naval side of the war, to find connections with it in their own research. Potential subjects may include, but not limited to:

• naval and maritime history of the war
• amphibious operations
• port cities and coastal areas
• maritime journeys during the war
• economics and logistics (supply, naval blockade and its effects, etc)
• naval and maritime technology 
• naval thinking and naval theories developed during and after the war
• social and cultural histories of all belligerent navies
• civilians at sea during the war
• commemoration and memory of maritime aspects of the war
• representation of naval aspects of the war in art, literature, film, computer games, etc.
• environmental history of the seas and coastal areas during the war

CALL FOR PAPERS
Society for Military History Panels at the 60th Northern Great Plains History Conference

The 60th Annual Northern Great Plains History Conference will be held 17-20 September 2025 in Mankato, Minnesota. The Society for Military History sponsors a full slate of sessions at the NGPHC, and proposals for all types of military history papers are welcomed. Both individual proposals and session proposals are encouraged. For individuals, send a cv and short one-page proposal. For sessions, send a one-page session proposal, a short one-page proposal for each paper, and short cvs for all participants. Deadline for proposals is 28 March 2025. Send proposals, cvs and inquiries to Dr. Mike Burns at smhatngphc@gmail.com, and please cc Mr. George Eaton at smhatmvhc@gmail.com. If you would like to volunteer to chair a panel or comment, please contact Mike and George. Please note that all SMH at NGPHC communication must go to and will come from Mr. Eaton at smhatmvhc@gmail.com after 4 April 2025.

For non-SMH sponsored panels, you can send proposals to NGPHC2025@gmail.com by 5 April 2025, indicating “NGPHC” in the subject line. For additional information on the conference, you can visit ngphconference.org.

The Society for Military History sponsors the SMH award for the best graduate student paper in Military History at NGPHC. This prize is valued at $400 dollars. For information on competing for this prize please send inquiries to Mike Burns.

In addition to the panels, the conference will hold a luncheon for SMH participants and attendees and the SMH will again be sponsoring a reception either Thursday or Friday evening, 18 or 19 September. Hope you can make it to Mankato!

CALL FOR PAPERS
WWII Emerging Scholars Symposium

The Eisenhower, Roosevelt, and Truman Presidential Libraries invite emerging scholars to submit a presentation abstract to be a featured speaker during the annual D-Day Commemorative Symposium. The 2025 symposium will be held the first week of June and the theme is A Salute to Veterans.

Following WWII, many veterans sought a smooth transition to home life. For some of these veterans, they soon found themselves to be unwelcomed, discarded, and forgotten. As a result, organizations like AMVETS and other advocacy groups were established. This year’s scholars are encouraged to examine lesser-known veteran demographics, fraternal orders, military clubs and activities created from these shared experiences. These topics can range from groups such as Atomic Veterans to the informal brotherhoods and sisterhoods of marginalized servicemen and women.

This virtual symposium focuses on specialized topics related to the Allied effort during World War II. Each presentation is approximately 40 minutes and the program wraps up with a Scholar Spotlight where we get to know a little bit more about each of these up and coming scholars.

Submission packets should include the presentation abstract, applicant contact information, education status and academic goals summary. Email submission packets to andrea.murphy@nara.gov with the subject line D-Day Symposium no later than April 27, 2025. Selected participants will be notified by May 9 and will receive a modest honorarium. Additional details may be found on the "Commemorate D-Day" page at https://www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov/public-programs/commemorate-d-day#ess.

CALL FOR PRESENTERS
The Second World War Research Group, North America (SWWRGNA) is dedicated to promoting scholarly work on the long global Second World War. We have some slots open for chapter- or article-length (unpublished) work to present at our monthly Zoom reading group in 2024-2025. Those who are interested in presenting or who would like to join the SWWRGNA should contact the co-directors Mary Kathryn Barbier and Jadwiga Biskupska at swwresearchgroupna@gmail.com. All topics and methodologies on the history of the war, and graduate students, independent, and military-affiliated scholars are always welcome.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
Home Front Studies is calling for article submissions. Published by the University of Nebraska Press, this interdisciplinary, peer-reviewed journal explores the concept of the home front, broadly considered, in times of war, civil war, and similar conflicts from the late nineteenth century to the present day. Its interests include the roles of art, discrimination, finance, gender, identity, literature, music, morale, propaganda, race, and/or sexuality as experienced by civilians on home fronts in locations around the world. Its interdisciplinary editorial board is open to submissions from across the humanities.

All submissions must be original, unpublished, and not under review elsewhere. HFS welcomes manuscripts of up to 9,000 words, inclusive of endnotes. Prepare contributions in accordance with the most recent edition of the Chicago Manual of Style, using humanities-style endnote citations.

HFS uses Editorial Manager to process submissions at this page: https://nebraskapressjournals.unl.edu/journal/home-front-studies/. Please direct any questions about manuscripts in development to the journal’s editor, James J. Kimble (james.kimble@shu.edu).

CALL FOR PROPOSALS
Announcing a New Series from Naval Institute Press
Studies in Marine Corps History and Amphibious Warfare
William A. Taylor, Series Editor
 
This series advances understanding of Marine Corps history and amphibious warfare by publishing original scholarship across a broad spectrum of innovative studies. The series analyzes an extensive array of vital aspects of the Marine Corps, amphibious warfare, and their collective role in global security, including battles, leaders, strategy, operations, tactics, doctrine, technology, personnel, organization, and culture. Incorporating both historical and contemporary perspectives, this series publishes important literature about the Marine Corps and significant works relevant to amphibious warfare that span the globe, feature diverse methodologies, and reach general audiences. As a result, the series provides a professional home, central venue, and premier destination for the best and newest research on Marine Corps history and amphibious warfare.

William A. Taylor is the holder of the Lee Drain Endowed University Professorship, previous department chair, and award-winning professor of global security studies at Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, he holds an MA degree in history from the University of Maryland, an MA degree in National Security Studies from Georgetown University, and MPhil and PhD degrees in history from George Washington University. Taylor is the author or editor of four books, including Military Service and American Democracy (University Press of Kansas) and Every Citizen a Soldier (Texas A&M University Press).

Send inquiries and proposals to william.taylor@angelo.edu.

CALL FOR BOOK PROPOSALS
New Series – Vernon Press Series in Classical Studies

Vernon Press invites proposals on the history, literature, art, philosophy, political or social structures, religion, languages, or archaeology of the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations for its new Series in Classical Studies.

The classics are the earliest branch of the humanities, with a long history of scholarly value, but the field continues to evolve. The past two decades have seen exciting developments in key research areas, especially material culture, reception studies and gender studies. The books in this series will examine such growth areas, while also being open to more traditional approaches.

Comprising edited volumes, co-authored books and single-author monographs, the series will be useful for senior researchers, scholars and practitioners with an interest in this field of study, as well as undergraduate and postgraduate students.

To receive more information about submitting a proposal or to discuss your idea, please contact James McGovern: james.mcgovern@vernonpress.com

Information also available on: https://vernonpress.com/proposal/47/24ac37c606272b4a01c1bcc8b4b15627

CALL FOR CONTRIBUTORS
From Balloons to Drones

Established in 2016, From Balloons to Drones is an online platform that seeks to provide analysis and debate about air power history, theory, and contemporary operations in their broadest sense including space and cyber power. Air power is to be understood broadly, encompassing not only the history of air warfare, including social and cultural aspects but also related fields such as archaeology, international relations, strategic studies, law and ethics.

Since its emergence during the First World War, air power has increasingly become the preferred form of military power for many governments. However, the application and development of air power is controversial and often misunderstood. To remedy this, From Balloons to Drones seeks to provide analysis and debate about air power through the publication of articles, research notes, commentary and book reviews.

From Balloons to Drones welcomes and encourages potential submissions from postgraduates, academics, and practitioners involved in researching the subject of air power. Submissions can take the following forms:

• Articles – From Balloons to Drones publishes informative articles on air power that range from historical pieces to the analysis of contemporary challenges. These well-researched articles should attempt to bridge a gap between the specialist and non-specialist reader. They should be around c.1,000 to 1,500 words, though From Balloons to Drones will accept larger pieces and we reserve the right to publish them in parts.
• Air War Books – From Balloons to Drones publishes a series of review articles that examine the top ten books that have influenced writers on air power.
• Commentaries – From Balloons to Drones publishes opinion pieces on recent news on either contemporary or historical subjects. These should be no longer than c.1,000 words.
• Research Notes – From Balloons to Drones publishes research notes related to contributor’s current research projects. These take the form of more informal pieces and can be a discussion of a source or a note on a recent research theme. These should be c.500 to 1,000 words.
• Book Reviews – From Balloons to Drones publishes occasional book reviews that aim to be an accessible collection of appraisals of recent publications about air power.

CALL FOR ARTICLES
International Bibliography of Military History
of the International Commission of Military History
Published by Brill (Leiden and Boston)

In existence since 1978, the International Bibliography of Military History (IBMH) has traditionally published historiographical articles, review articles, and book reviews. Since its recent move to Brill, however, it has been undergoing a transformation into a fully-fledged military history journal. As a next step in this process, the portfolio will be enlarged to include also original research articles.

The IBMH thus invites scholars to submit articles on any military historical topic that can appeal to an international readership, e.g. a topic involving more than one nation and, preferably, based on multi-archival research. There is no chronological limitation. The journal publishes articles ranging from antiquity to the contemporary period, as long as the research method is historical.

The articles should be based extensively on primary research, not have been published in another form or outlet, and not currently be considered by another journal. The submitted work should be between 8,000 and 10,000 words (including footnotes), and be thoroughly referenced. For further information on style and referencing, please visit the journal’s website.

Submitted articles will – after a first editorial screening – be sent out for peer-review (double-blind). This process, from submission to decision, normally takes six to eight weeks. Please submit your article directly to the Scientific Editor, Dr Marco Wyss (m.wyss@chi.ac.uk), who is also available for any potential preliminary queries.

CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS
The Council on America’s Military (CAMP) past is calling for papers for its Journal. We welcome submissions of interesting, original articles on American military history, especially topics that deal with significant sites (which could include installations, battlefields, ships and airplanes).  We also welcome articles on biography and historic preservation, especially if they are related to particular sites.  Maps and photos are strongly encouraged.  We ask that authors submit manuscripts by e-mail to our editors, using a system that is compatible with Microsoft Word.  The length of the articles that we publish varies roughly between 2,500 and 7,500 words.  The author is responsible for obtaining permission to publish any copyrighted material, and for bearing the costs of obtaining or reproducing illustrations. Interested parties should refer to the CAMP website or contact the editor, Vincent Rospond at EditorJamp@yahoo.com.

A non-profit educational association, CAMP was founded in 1966, representing diverse professions from historians to archeologists, museologists to architects, engineers to authors, active and retired military of all ranks, genealogists to archivists, and just plain hobbyists, the Council on America’s Military Past has only one requirement for membership: commitment to its objectives.

Its focus is on the places and things from America’s military past, and their stories. CAMP looks to all types of military and naval posts, from stockade forts of early New England to adobe presidios of the Southwest, from temporary camps and battlegrounds of a military on the move, to elaborate coastal defense installations along America’s coastlines. For CAMP, old ships and airplanes are also posts.

The Journal of America’s Military Past is a scholarly publication with interesting, illustrated articles on historic posts and battlefields and their people. The journal includes a robust book review section that, by itself, makes it worth reading. It is published three times a year.