Call for Papers: Migration policies and the materiality of identification in European cities, 1500-2000

The Centre for Urban History (CSG) at the University of Antwerp and Historical Research Into Urban Transformation Processes (HOST) at the Free University of Brussels (VUB) invite proposals for papers for a workshop on ‘Migration policies and the materiality of identification in European cities, 1500-2000’. The workshop will be held in Antwerp on 28/29 May 2015.

We are especially interested in papers that examine long-term transformations in micro-policies of identification and incorporation of newcomers, including such material aspects of identification as domestic and international passports, birth and marriage certificates, residence and work permits, relief certificates, certificates of racial origins, etcetera.

Papers may focus on any part of Europe and its colonies since 1500. The workshop is designed to reflect new approaches to the study of power and the city and is organised as part of the Urban Agency network. It is anticipated that a number of the papers will be selected as contributions to a volume of The New Urban History of Europe.

Proposals of max. 500 words should be submitted to Hilde Greefs (Hilde.Greefs@uantwerpen.be) and Anne Winter (Anne.Winter@vub.ac.be) by 1 September 2014.

Identity card of a Hungarian foster child in the Netherlands (Collection Historisch Beeldarchief Migranten)