Call for papers – 2nd Workshop The Economic and Financial History of Colonialism – deadline 15 Dec 2025

On 26 and 27 March 20-26, the Faculty of Business and Economics of the University of Groningen and the University of Antwerp will jointly organise the second edition of the workshop series ‘The Economic and Financial History of Colonialism’ at the University of Groningen.

This year’s theme, ‘Diversity in Development: Colonial Legacies and Varied Paths of Growth’, invites new perspectives on how colonial economic and financial systems shaped long-term development trajectories across regions. The workshop aims to foster comparative and interdisciplinary dialogue on the mechanisms through which colonial institutions, fiscal regimes, and financial structures influenced the diversity of post-colonial growth experiences.

The organisers encourage submissions that examine how different colonial models – whether extractive or developmental, centralized or decentralized, formal or informal – produced distinctive economic outcomes. We particularly welcome comparative contributions across empires and regions, from the relatively diversified colonial economies of East Asia or the settler dominions to the more extractive or commodity-dependent cases in Africa, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia. Both descriptive and analytical papers, including case studies and comparative research are welcomed.

Those interested in participating in this workshop, should submit an extended abstract (500–800 words) or a full paper ultimately 15 December 2025 by e-mail.
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