CfP: Industrial Relations and Institutional Resilience in Central Europe (1789–2004)

Dear colleagues,

We are pleased to invite proposals for a one-day international interdisciplinary methodological workshop on industrial relations in modern and contemporary history, to be held in Prague, Czech Republic, on 8th December 2025. The event is organized by two postdoctoral researchers from the Institute of History and the Institute of Contemporary History at the Czech Academy of Sciences, and is supported by the Academy’s “Strategy AV21” program.

This workshop aims to explore the role of labour–employer relations and the management of industrial conflicts in shaping the stability and reproduction of social institutions—viewed as essential components of a resilient society. We seek to bring together scholars from various disciplines, including history, sociology, social anthropology, political science, and state theory, to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and comparative insights.

Thematic Focus:
We welcome both national-level studies of industrial relations and micro-level research rooted in labour history, especially those that address:
- The transfer of industrial conflicts into the political realm or their political instrumentalization;
- Reflections of labour-related tensions in political thought and ideologies;
- Transformations in labour relations during periods of institutional upheaval (e.g., revolutions, coups, systemic transitions);
- The interconnected evolution of employment relations and political representation in modern societies.
We especially encourage methodological contributions that engage with these issues across a broad historical period—from the late 18th century (ca. 1789) through the post-communist transformation (up to 2004)—with a geographical focus on Central Europe.

Practical Information:
The workshop will take place in Prague and will be conducted in English. Thanks to the support of Strategy AV21, we are able to offer full reimbursement for travel expenses (up to €250), accommodation for one or two nights, and meals (lunch and dinner on the day of the workshop).

While no collective publication is planned at this stage, we hope the meeting will serve as a starting point for future scholarly collaboration.

How to Apply:
If you are interested in participating, please contact us (rames@usd.cas.cz, raska@hiu.cas.cz) with a brief abstract (max. 300 words) and a short bio (max. 150 words) by 17th August 2025. The selection procedure is expected to be finished by early September.

We look forward to your contributions and to a rich and productive discussion in Prague.

Best regards,

Jakub Raška and Václav Rameš
Institute of History & Institute of Contemporary History
Czech Academy of Sciences