The 8th International Conference on Public History
Lisbon, Portugal | September 7-11, 2026
Website: https://in2past.org/events/ifph-2026-lisbon/
The Public History of Difficult Pasts
In a time of escalating attacks by right-wing movements on memory, diversity, human rights, democracy, and history itself, the IFPH reaffirms its commitment to fostering critical engagement with the ways societies confront, interpret, and relate to their difficult pasts and challenging presents. The IFPH strongly condemns book banning, the censorship of historical narratives, the surveillance of students and educators, the targeting of sites of remembrance, and the imposition of ideological agendas—particularly right-wing distortions—that not only threaten academic freedom but undermine the very principles upon which public history is built. Against this backdrop, the conference seeks to challenge historical revisionism and silencing, to amplify marginalized voices and memories, and to promote transnational dialogues on reconciliation, accountability, and restorative justice.
Public History has long addressed global historical processes such as colonialism, the transatlantic slave trade, and the genocide of Indigenous peoples, as well as phenomena that emerge in multiple contexts, including armed conflicts and dictatorships. It embodies both a political and ethical commitment to examining how difficult pasts have been lived and remembered by different communities and individuals, ensuring that their perspectives are acknowledged and respected. At the same time, engaging with these histories through Public History raises significant challenges. Sharing authority with specific communities and amplifying marginalized narratives may unintentionally silence other voices, while also presenting complex ethical dilemmas. Furthermore, Public History operates within the public sphere, engaging diverse audiences and navigating competing representations of the past in an era increasingly marked by the political instrumentalization of history and the spread of revisionist and denialist discourses.
Registration Requirements
Participation in the conference requires:
- Membership in the International Federation for Public History
- Payment of a conference fee of €60
Conference news:
- Accepted papers have been contacted
- The conference website with more information will be launched soon
- Presenters need to confirm their participation by paying their registration fee (€60) by the end of April.
- If you have any questions, please contact conference team at ifph2026lisbon@in2past.org

