Call for Papers ESHET–HES

Joint Conference of the European Society for the History of Economic Thought (ESHET) and the History of Economics Society (HES)
Université Côte d’Azur, Nice, France
26-29 May 2026

For the first time, the European Society for the History of Economic Thought (ESHET) and the History of Economics Society (HES) are organizing a joint international conference. This historic event will take place at Université Côte d’Azur in Nice, hosted by GREDEG (Groupe de Recherche en Droit, Économie et Gestion).

We welcome submissions of individual papers and organized sessions on all aspects of the history of economic thought. This includes historical and methodological approaches to economics, the evolution of economic ideas, and their impact on policy-making, as well as interdisciplinary perspectives.

Theme — Economists under Pressure: The Political Limits to Economics

In a global context of rising geopolitical tensions and authoritarian rule, this conference will examine from a historical perspective how political pressures have shaped, constrained or transformed the production and dissemination of economic knowledge. The history of economics offers a variety of cases where economists have had to operate under various forms of constraint — explicit censorship, academic ostracism, self-censorship, and all manner of strong institutional pressures — whether coming from authoritarian regimes (fascism, communism, military dictatorships), politically polarized societies or highly restrictive institutional contexts.

This conference aims to explore the complex relationship between political power and the production and dissemination of economic knowledge, and in particular how political constraints have shaped economic thought in modern and contemporary history. Since at least the mercantilist era, economists have been confronted with binding political contexts that have limited their individual and intellectual freedom, molded their work and their role in society. How have economists responded to these various political constraints? To what extent have these constraints influenced and facilitated the development of certain economic theories and tools or, on the contrary, prevented their emergence? What social or institutional strategies did economists use to circumvent these constraints, to resist or sometimes to adapt to the political demands of their time? Ultimately, this theme also wants to highlight the ways in which economic ideas circulate in constrained contexts — especially through intellectual exile or clandestine dissemination — and to question the role of academic institutions as spaces of resistance or conformism in the face of political pressures.

We encourage submissions that explore in all its variety and from a historical perspective the political limits to modern and contemporary economics. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

  • The development of political economy and the place of economists under authoritarian or totalitarian regimes.
  • Censorship and self-censorship, intellectual exile and the international circulation of economic ideas in the history of economic thought.
  • Strategies of resistance and adaptation by economists in the face of political pressures and the role of academic institutions.
  • Economic constraints as a tool of intellectual control, in particular through the limits imposed by research funding (public or private).
  • The impact of wars, regional conflicts and geopolitical tensions on economic thought.

Submission Guidelines

  • Individual papers: Submit an abstract of approximately 400 words.
  • Organized sessions: Proposals should include three or four papers (each with an abstract of approximately 400 words), along with a session title and rationale (600 words total).
  • Young Scholars Session: Doctoral candidates and early-career researchers (PhD awarded after 2022) are encouraged to submit their work. Travel grants will be available.

All submissions must be made through the official conference website https://www.eshet-conference.net/joint-eshet-hes-nice by 22 December 2025. Notifications of acceptance will be sent progressively, on a rolling basis, and no later than 30 January 2026.

Important. If you are interested in having your paper considered for support from the Young Scholars Program, please submit your abstract proposal via the conference website by 22 December. Further information regarding when and how additional elements should be sent to the Young Scholars committee will be provided at a later stage.

Conference Venue and Practical Information

The conference will be held in the beautiful city of Nice, France, at Université Côte d’Azur. The venue offers easy access to the Mediterranean coast, historical landmarks, and vibrant cultural attractions. A variety of accommodation options will be available for participants: Nice is easily accessible by train from Marseille, Paris, Lyon and Milano. Nice Airport has direct flights to many European and international destinations, including North America, and is very close to the city center by tramway.

The conference itself will be held at the Campus Saint-Jean d’Angély (06300 Nice) in the northeastern part of the city.

Scientific Committee

Brisset Nicolas, Université Côte d’Azur
Caldari Katia, Università degli Studi di Padova
Camilotto Nicolas, Université Côte d’Azur
Dal Pont Legrand Muriel, Université Côte d’Azur
Fèvre Raphaël, Université Côte d’Azur
Gloria Sandye, Université Côte d’Azur
Lecouteux Guilhem, Université Côte d’Azur
Medema Steven, Duke University
Mueller Thomas, Université Côte d’Azur
Ragni Ludovic, Université Côte d’Azur
Raybaut Alain, Université Côte d’Azur & CNRS
Truc Alexandre, Université Côte d’Azur & CNRS
Wible Jim, University of New Hampshire
Zappia Carlo, Università degli Studi di Siena

For inquiries, please contact the organizing committee at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
We look forward to welcoming you to Nice for this milestone event in the history of economic thought!