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WEHC Bids

Call for Host Cities
World Economic History Congress 2031

The International Economic History Association (IEHA) coordinates the activities of more than  forty national associations of economic historians. Its main aim is the organization of the World  Economic History Congress, which takes place every three years and has between 800 and  1,500 participants. In 2025, the 20th Congress was held in Lund, Sweden. The 21st Congress  in 2028 will take place in Montevideo, Uruguay. 

The 22nd Congress will be held in 2031. The Executive Committee of the IEHA therefore  invite potential host cities and local organizers to suggest venues for the organizing of future  congresses to: 

Professor Leigh Gardner 
Secretary General, IEHA 
Department of Economic History 
London School of Economics 
Houghton St, London WC2A 2AE UK  
l.a.gardner@lse.ac.uk

Submissions are due on 1 March 2027. We invite either 1) full bids for the 2031 Congress,  or 2) preliminary bids for the 2034 Congress. Both will be considered at the 2027 meeting of  the Executive Committee. Required information for full or preliminary bids is outlined below.

Full bids (2031 Congress): 

  • Membership of local organizing committee, host institution and supporting  organizations 
  • Details on the conference venue, including number and size of available rooms. This  includes classrooms for parallel sessions, larger venues for keynotes, and meeting  spaces for poster sessions, breaks, and book display.  
  • A budget for the Congress, including funds raised at the time of bid, estimate of  registration fees and likely availability of student bursaries 
  • Details on location and costs of local accommodation options, including cheaper  options for student attendees 
  • Information on local and international transport networks  
  • A timetable for conference preparation and conference schedule  

Note that full bids will be subject to a site visit by a member of the IEHA Executive Committee.  Local organizers will be invited to IEHA’s Executive Committee meeting (usually via Zoom)  to answer questions from the EC.

Preliminary bids (2034 Congress): 

The submission of preliminary bids is intended to begin conversations with institutions  interested in hosting the Congress but not yet in a position to submit a full bid. The Executive  Committee will consider preliminary bids with a view to providing guidance on potential  pitfalls and questions which will need to be addressed in full bid. We understand that it may  not be possible to provide a budget, details on external funds raised, or a fully organized local  committee. However, a preliminary bid should include the other information requested of a full  bud, including: 

  • Details on the conference venue, including number and size of available rooms. This  includes classrooms for parallel sessions, larger venues for keynotes, and meeting  spaces for poster sessions, breaks, and book display.  
  • Some indication of local accommodation options  
  • Information on local and international transport networks  

In addition, preliminary bids should include information on the local institutions and  individuals which may participate in the organization of a Congress, even if they have not  formally committed. This will help the Executive Committee have some sense of the depth of  local networks.