The Spanish Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies and the University of Zaragoza are delighted to welcome scholars from around the globe to the 17th International Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies (ISECS) Congress. The congress will take place in Zaragoza (Spain) from Monday 12 to Friday 16 July 2027.
The International Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies (ISECS) four-yearly Congress is the largest academic meeting to focus on the study of all aspects of the “long” eighteenth century. Sixteen Congresses have been organised since 1963, with the most recent taking place in Graz (2011), Rotterdam (2015), Edinburgh (2019) and Rome (2023). The next Congress will be held in Zaragoza (Spain) from Monday 12 July to Friday 16 July 2027 and is organised by the Spanish Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies (SEESXVIII). The event will be hosted by the University of Zaragoza.
The theme of the 17th Congress is “Enlightenment and (In)equality”. Throughout the eighteenth century, the development of Enlightenment thought, the circulation of ideas and cultural, artistic and literary currents fostered an interest in equality, which permeated all the academic disciplines that flourished in the Enlightenment tree. At the same time, technological advances, developments in trade and the globalisation of markets brought about profound changes in social structures during that century. The equality proclaimed by Enlightenment thinkers could be defined in legal terms, in terms of wealth, social class, gender, origin, race, caste, education or religious affiliation. Beyond the individual sphere and social class, the problem of equality also affected slave-owning and colonial societies, as well as what were then known as underdeveloped nations. The theme of the Congress thus addresses some of the main intersections of current research into the Enlightenment. We aim to bring together contributions that embrace a multidisciplinary and international approach to the different notions of equality that emerged in the eighteenth century. At the same time, the theme also builds bridges to the turbulent 21st century, presenting a set of interpretative keys for better understanding this inescapable challenge in today’s world.
The Congress Scientific Committee is responsible for organising panels, plenary sessions and dialogues on the theme of “Enlightenment and (In)equality”. We invite Congress participants to propose thematic sessions, roundtables, individual presentations and posters (early career scholars) on the main thematic strand or any other aspect related to the “long” eighteenth century (1670-1830). These forms of participation all lend themselves to a Digital Humanities (DH) approach. Sessions and roundtables on initiatives concerning the future of ISECS and the undertaking of future research on the eighteenth century are also welcome and will be included in the Growing as a Scientific Community (GSC) programme.
Please complete the forms available at www.isecs-zaragoza2027.net to submit your proposal of thematic sessions, roundtables and individual presentations. If you are an early career scholar, submit your poster to posters@isecs-zaragoza2027.net. The Congress will use three languages: English, French and Spanish.
Calendar:
- 15 May 2026 / 30 September 2026. Submission of proposals for thematic sessions and roundtables.
- 30 October 2026. Publication of accepted proposals for thematic sessions and roundtables.
- 30 October 2026 / 31 January 2027. Submission of full content for accepted sessions and roundtables.
- 30 October 2026 / 31 January 2027. Submission of proposals for individual contributions. These can be sent or included in accepted thematic sessions (with fewer than four 4 participants) or could also give rise to new sessions.
- 1 December 2026/ 28 February 2027. Submission of early career scholar posters.
- Spring 2027. Publication of provisional programme.
For more information please visit the official website of the conference: https://www.isecs-zaragoza2027.net.
