Colloquia Humanistica 16 (2027) – call for papers

2026-02-08

Colloquia Humanistica is the interdisciplinary humanities journal of the Institute of Slavic Studies of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Our aim is to introduce a variety of perspectives in discussing contemporary issues. We would like to propose a unique space that allows an intensive intellectual debate and a dynamic exchange of thoughts between researchers of different perspectives in the humanities and social sciences. Colloquia Humanistica hereby invites submissions of manuscripts that address the following topic:

European borderlands as contact zones – interdisciplinary approaches

The aim of the next issue of Colloquia Humanistica is to develop a multidisciplinary reflection on the emergence, nature and role of short-term and long-term borders dividing and determining European space in the past and in recent times. In an era of coexisting integration and disintegration processes in Europe, the issue of borderlands is becoming a very important subject of research on variously defined contact zones of cultures, religions, languages or states. The phenomenon of borderland should be referred to both real (geographical, relational) and symbolic (psychological, ethical) space, where contact and interaction between neighbouring cultures and their representatives takes place, both in the past and in the present. The population of borderlands participates in complex socio-cultural and political systems, characterised by a multiplicity of contexts, which has always led to the creation of solutions and references that influence the complex characteristics of Europe as a whole.

European border areas are dynamic, historically rich, often conflict-ridden zones of cultural convergence, mediation and rivalry. Often described as products of a fanciful geopolitical imagination, they are places where communities engage in various forms of integration, differentiation and contestation through political, economic, geographical and socio-cultural interactions.

  • We invite you to exchange views on the impact of cultural borderlands on the functioning of states, national, regional and local communities, families and individuals.
  • We would like to devote special attention to the issue of identity in border areas, including their ethnic-religious, cultural, linguistic, social and historical context.
  • We encourage discussion on ways of defining the phenomenon of borderlandness using the methodologies and research tools employed by the academic disciplines you represent.

In addition, the topics of the articles may concern issues such as:

  • The specificity of individual, family and community histories in the borderland space;
  • The history of cross-border groups and their mobility;
  • Projections of state ideologies onto border regions;
  • Identity and citizenship in border areas;
  • The presence of border areas in international diplomacy and domestic politics;
  • The role of non-state actors (non-governmental organisations, churches, etc.) in border areas; 
  • The specific contribution of the history of border areas to the broader history and current socio-political processes in Europe.

We invite historians, political scientists, anthropologists, cultural and literary scholars, linguists, and representatives of all other relevant academic disciplines to participate. 

Timeline:

  • Abstract in English and the author’s native language (300 words) and a short biographical note (50–100 words) by 31 May 2026;
  • Contact with selected authors by 30 June 2026;
  • Submission of manuscript by 31 October 2026.

Articles should be submitted via the journal's open platform.

If you have any questions, please contact the volume's editors:

  • Jolanta Sujecka (Faculty of Artes Liberales, University of Warsaw): jolanta[dot]sujecka[at]al[dot]uw[dot]edu[dot]pl
  • Jędrzej Paszkiewicz (Faculty of History, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań): prosinac[at]amu[dot]edu[dot]pl