Postgraduate Research Students Conference

Postgraduate Research Students Conference 2024

The GHIL’s 28th Postgraduate Research Students’ Conference will take place on Thursday 11 and Friday 12 January 2024. The conference is intended for postgraduate research scholars working on German history from the Middle Ages to the present at a UK or Irish university, and aims to give them the opportunity to present their work-in-progress and to discuss their research with other students working in the same field. Ph.D. students at all stages are encouraged to apply. All participants will be expected to briefly present their research projects, but if capacity is limited, preference will be given to second- and third-year students.

A course on German Palaeography is planned for the first day of the conference. Should you wish to take part, please indicate your interest in your application. Please note that places will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

Application Details
If you are interested in attending, please send an email to PGconference@ghil.ac.uk by Wednesday 15 November 2023 and include the following:

full contact details – name, address, email address and telephone number
the exact title of your Ph.D. project
the date you started your Ph.D. project (and whether you are enrolled part- or full- time)
the name, address, email address, and phone number of your university and supervisor
an indication of whether you have undertaken research in Germany
an indication of whether you wish to participate in the Palaeography course scheduled for the morning of 11 January 2024

The GHIL will arrange accommodation for participants from outside the Greater London Area and offer a lump sum towards the cost of travel to London.

Postgraduate Research Students Conference 2023

Group of postgraduate students gathered around the entrance to the GHIL — The 2023 Postgraduate Research Students Conference at the GHIL

The German Historical Institute London held its 27th postgraduate research students conference in an online format on 12-13 January 2023. 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.