As part of the programme of activities to mark the centenary of the Economic History Society, a special session will be held at the Society’s Annual Conference 2026 (to be held at LSE between 10 and 12 April 2026) to examine how economic history research has influenced public policy in practice. The focus is on concrete examples where historical research or the work of economic historians has contributed to policy design, debate, or implementation.
Possible themes include:
- Case studies of influence: Examples of economic history shaping policy in areas such as labour, taxation, education, trade, industrial policy, regional development and financial regulation.
- Channels of engagement: The means by which economic historians have connected with policymakers, advisory bodies, or international organisations.
- Policy uptake and impact: The kinds of economic history research that have proved most relevant and persuasive in policy contexts.
- Limits and challenges: Obstacles to incorporating economic history insight into policymaking, and cases where analogies or lessons from history have been misapplied.
- International perspectives: Cross-country comparisons in the use of economic history in policymaking.
The session seeks contributions that document specific cases of influence and reflect on the conditions that made them possible.
The session will not follow the typical format of the rest of the EHS conference. We are open to shorter contributions that allow for more concise treatment of your case and leave more room for discussion. We intend to organise a roundtable Q&A lead by an expert discussant as part of this session.
Please send a short abstract outlining your proposed contribution to Chris Colvin (chris.colvin@qub.ac.uk) by 22 September 2025. The selection panel (Eric Schneider, Jane Humphries and Chris Colvin) will judge the submissions and inform participants by the end of September.
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