Postgraduate Research Students Conference

Postgraduate Research Students Conference 2022

Group of postgraduate students gathered around the entrance to the GHIL — The 2020 conference, before the advent of social distancing.

The German Historical Institute London held its 26th postgraduate research students conference in an online format on 13-14 January 2022. Its intention was to give postgraduate research students in the UK and Ireland working on German history an opportunity to present their work in progress and to discuss it with other students working in the same field. In selecting students to give a presentation, preference was given to those in their second or third year who had already spent a period of research in Germany. The Institute also introduced the participants to its role as a research centre for German history in London, the facilities it offers (conference and lecture programme, library etc.), and to the Institute's Research Fellows.

The students presented their ongoing research, which were followed by discussion. Each panel consisted of thematically similar projects and the panels were chaired by the GHIL’s Research Fellows. As well as discussing their subjects and methodologies, the participants exchanged information about practical difficulties, such as how to locate sources, or find one's way around German archives. The German Historical Institute can also offer support by facilitating contact with German archives and providing letters of introduction, which may be necessary for students to gain access to archives or specific source collections.

The virtual coffee and lunch breaks offered ample opportunity for informal contact and networking. On Thursday evening all participants were invited to an informal get-together with the Institute’s research staff, which took place in an online wonder room.

Postgraduate Research Students Conference 2023

Next year's postgraduate research students conference, which is open to all postgraduate students enrolled at a British or Irish university, will take place from Thursday 12 to Friday 13 January 2023.

If you are interested in attending, please send an email to PGconference@ghil.ac.uk by 30 November 2022 and include the following details:

full contact details (including email address and telephone number),
the exact title of your project,
the date you started your project (and whether you study for a part-time or full-time PhD),
the name, address, email address and phone number of your university and supervisor,
confirmation whether you have undertaken research in Germany.

Please note that all 2^nd and 3^rd year students are encouraged to present a paper on their PhD project. Applicants will be contacted as soon as possible. Accommodation and/or travel reimbursement claims can only be considered for those eligible and who attend the entire event.

The conference will most probably be held in person. However, this will depend on the state of the covid-19 pandemic at the time. We will announce closer to the date whether this event will be held in person or online.