TSEG -The Low Countries Journal of Social and Economic History Essay Prize – deadline 1 February 2026

Through the Essay Prize, worth 500 euros, the TSEG – The Low Countries Journal of Social and Economic History challenges young researchers to demonstrate whether economic and social history can contribute to solving current social issues, and if so, how.

Many of the major debates of our time, such as climate change, pandemics, inequality or geopolitical conflicts, seem to be dominated by technologists, hard scientists, economists and opinion makers. What role does historical insight have to play? And would it help? In what way? Historians, in particular, have the knowledge and skills to provide in-depth context and nuance. Consider, for example, the migration debate, in which historians have already demonstrated how previous waves of migration can shed light on current dynamics. But what about the (aftermath of the) COVID-19 pandemic, the double standards towards Russia, the ongoing violence in the Middle East, Trump’s tariff war, the rapid advance of artificial intelligence or climate change? Furthermore, are there not downsides to providing historical context for contemporary issues? Doesn’t this make historians vulnerable? Precisely because they provide historical context, historians are forced to take a stand. Consequently, won’t their expertise become “just an opinion”, one that may even be politically biased?

PhD students as well as postdocs who obtained their PhD within the last 3 years who believe that historical research is an indispensable guide to understanding the present and the future, are invited to pitch a draft historical essay (max. 750 words, English or Dutch) that addresses these questions. The essay may start from a contemporary social issue, as in the examples, and could be a theoretical treatise or a historical case study, but should make clear why the story deserves ‘a place at the talk show table’. Proposals may be submitted via e-mail to the journal editors ultimately by 1 February 2026.