Scientific conference Economy in the Shadow of War: State, Society, Resources 13–14 March 2026

The Section of Economic and Social History and Historical Anthropology of the Student Scientific Circle of Historians at Jagiellonian University cordially invites participation in the nationwide scientific conference titled Economy in the Shadow of War: State, Society, Resources. The conference will take place on 13–14 March 2026 in Kraków, at the Institute of History of the Jagiellonian University.

War — whether global, regional, or local — has the capacity to rapidly and profoundly transform almost all aspects of life. Existing social norms cease to apply, interpersonal relations deteriorate, and each day becomes a struggle for survival. In this context, the relationship between war and the economy is particularly interesting, with the economy often being one of the first spheres adapted to the wartime effort of the state.

The conference is not limited solely to historical approaches to this relationship; we invite representatives of various disciplines (including economics, political science, sociology). Due to the cross-era and interdisciplinary character of the event, we encourage presentations of research results, observations, and insights.

• Military industry and defense economy.
• State economic policy during conflicts.
• Media and propaganda and the wartime economy.
• Human aspects in the wartime economy (society, labor, demography).
• Financing wars and economic transformations.
• Mechanisms of wartime economies in different eras.
• Economic causes and consequences of armed conflicts.
• Industrial and financial transformations triggered by wars.
• The role of the state in mobilizing resources and managing the economy during war.

The conference has a nationwide scope and is addressed primarily to academic staff and researchers; students are also welcome. Its aim is the exchange of knowledge at a high substantive level and the establishment of interinstitutional contacts.

Application form: https://forms.gle/aHEfhVEDaatBXrd28
Applications should be submitted by 18 January 2026, by 23:59. Including a bibliography is optional but recommended. Maximum presentation time: 20 minutes.

We will send information about the acceptance of papers on 1 February 2026. If participants are interested, a post-conference publication may be issued.

If you have any questions, please contact: nina.kucharczyk@student.uj.edu.pl, piotr.paluch@student.uj.edu.pl