The 18th International Conference of Historical Geography, Shanghai, 13-18 luglio 2025

The landscape of historical geography is currently experiencing a transformative shift, expanding its regional focus and epistemological underpinnings beyond the traditional “core” areas of Europe and North America. This evolution reflects a critical departure from historical geography’s past entanglements with colonialism, embracing instead a broader spectrum of geographical traditions, including those less represented or recognized (often referred to as other geographical traditions or OGTs). This broadening perspective is vital for reevaluating our understanding on what constitutes the discipline of geography. It recognizes the unique insights and collective wisdom of various cultures, underscoring the importance of diversity akin to that of biodiversity in the natural world. In this spirit, the conference seeks contributions from scholars worldwide, inviting them to share their work on preserving and reinvigorating these diverse geographical traditions.

Planet Earth is currently grappling with critical environmental challenges, many of which stem from human actions, including warfare, nuclear incidents, and the over-exploitation of natural resources such as water, timber, fish, and oil. These issues manifest in both urban and rural settings and are prevalent in developed and developing countries. Occasionally, these challenges culminate in crises that exact a significant toll on human life and the environment. From the perspective of historical geography, how might we approach the sustainability of our planet? Can insights from historical geography guide the current generation in maintaining a delicate balance between development and preservation? We highly encourage contributions that delve into the overarching theme of sustainability within the realm of historical geography.

After joint application by Fudan University and the Geographical Society of China, Shanghai was chosen as the host city for the 18th International Conference of Historical Geographers, scheduled for July 2025.

The theme, “Historical Geographies for a Diverse and Sustainable Planet”, aims to:

– Spotlight the role of historical geography in deciphering the complex human-environment interactions through time;

– Acknowledge the diverse geographical traditions worldwide;

– Foster a shared understanding and collaborative research within the field of historical geography.