CEHC 2025: a Milestone Gathering for Central European Historians

Photo: MATERIALMATTERS / Robert Vanis

The University of Vienna became a hub of historical dialogue this summer as more than 500 scholars from across five continents gathered for the 2025 Central European History Convention (CEHC), proudly co-sponsored by the Wirth Institute for Austrian and Central European Studies at the University of Alberta and the brainchild of the institute’s new director, Dominique Kirchner Reill and co-organizer, Peter Becker. Under the theme “Shared Pasts, Entangled Futures,” the three-day event celebrated the richness and complexity of Central Europe’s history while looking ahead to its global resonances.

The inaugural CEHC quickly grew into one of Europe’s premiere historical gatherings, modeled after large North American conventions but rooted firmly in a European context. It drew a dynamic mix of emerging researchers and established historians, united by a shared interest in the cultural, political, and social legacies of the Habsburg world and its successors. Austrian public television even featured it on a weekend program discussing important national events.

A Global Conversation in Vienna

Over 50 panels, two keynote lectures, a roundtable, and ten interdisciplinary research labs engagements transpired in the halls of the University of Vienna. Topics ranged from migration and empire to borderlands, animals in imperial spaces, and environmental histories. The conference program’s diversity reflected an ambition to bridge national frameworks and bring Central European history into dialogue with global themes.

One of the highlights of the three-day program came with Tara Zahra’s keynote address, “What Good Is Habsburg History When the World Is on Fire?”, which challenged historians to consider how regional histories speak to global crises—particularly those fuelled by nationalism, anti-globalism, and resurgent authoritarianism. A roundtable celebrated the influence of Pieter M. Judson, whose work continues to shape the field’s understanding of identity and power in Central Europe.

Breaking Down Barriers

In keeping with the CEHC’s mission to democratize scholarly exchange, organizers waived registration fees and provided travel assistance for early-career researchers. This inclusivity, coupled with Vienna’s central location, created what co-organizers Becker and Reill described as “a kaleidoscope of meanings” and a place where emerging and senior scholars could meet as equals. Beyond the formal sessions, hallways, cafés, and courtyards buzzed with conversation—reminding participants that some of the most productive exchanges happen between panels rather than during them.

Entangled Futures

Reflecting on the event, blog posts composed by the participants underscored that the CEHC’s true legacy lies not only in its academic program but in the networks and collaborations it continues to inspire. Building on this momentum, the convention awarded five prizes to the most promising papers by emerging scholars, with each winner receiving €500 and mentorship from three senior scholars to help transform their work into publishable articles in top-tier journals. Articles discussing the CEHC and its future promises are also expected to appear in leading academic journals across the countries represented by the Wirth Institute.

The convention underscored that Central European history is far from a regional niche—it is a global story of connection, mobility, and resilience. Looking ahead, the next CEHC is set for July 2027 in Vienna, with the Austrian Ministry backing its establishment as a stable, biannual event. As a founding member, the Wirth Institute at the University of Alberta will remain closely involved, helping to guide and shape the future of this vibrant international scholarly gathering.

Learn more about the CEHC and read reflections from participants here.