Call for Papers - The British Army Since 1945
Monday 28th September 2026
Call for Papers
Society for Army Historical Research Virtual Conference
The British Army since 1945
Online, Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 February 2027
Since the end of the Second World War in 1945, the role, composition, and outlook of the British Army have changed drastically. The people who served, worked alongside, and were affected by its deployments, engagements, and conflicts are immeasurable; their lived experiences are all unique and crucial to our understanding of military service and the study of the British Army. Following the success of our previous conference on the Land Forces of the Crown, this conference will continue to bring together those conducting fresh research.
The Society is therefore seeking proposals for 20-minute papers on any topic covered by the conference research remit, which is the study of the British Army since 1945. Possible topics might include (but are not limited to) operational histories; defence policy and planning; social, political or economic aspects of the British Army since 1945; personal experiences of service; discussions of public perception and civil-military relationships; society and the army, in peace and wartime; themes of gender, masculinity or race; commemoration and memory; health histories and military welfare. We would especially welcome proposals covering histories that have been understudied.
Reflecting our commitment to serve scholars, enthusiasts, and soldiers, we welcome proposals from anyone in any of those groups, inside or outside of academia. We would especially welcome proposals from Postgraduate and Early Career Researchers to support the development of new scholars, as well as those previously demographically under-represented in academia.
Paper proposals should be sent to conferences@sahr.org.uk by 31 December 2026. In your proposal, you should include your name, paper title, 150-word biography (including any institutional affiliations) and a 300-word abstract outlining your proposed paper’s aims, arguments and methodology. Panel proposals of three papers will also be accepted, featuring the above information, a nominated chairperson and a biography, and a 400-word panel ethos and rationale statement.
Potential contributors should note that it is planned to publish the collected proceedings of the conference, or a selection thereof. We would ask, therefore, that proposals indicate whether or not the speaker would be willing/able to write-up their paper for this purpose. Being unable to contribution to the proceedings is not a bar on participation, but we do need to ensure that we have sufficient material for a worthwhile volume.
Successful presenters will be notified no later than 30 January 2027, with a full programme being circulated shortly afterwards.