Disconnected Histories 

Co-hosted with UNIFI, with Zoltán Biedermann, Martin Dusinberre, Beatrice Falcucci, Valeska Huber and Luc Wodzicki

As of late, global approaches revolving around connectivity have lost a great part of their explanatory power. Limitations of global history and connected history are rising to the fore through critical discussions and conferences. In a world threatened by disruption and fragmentation, we must think historically about phenomena of disconnection and disconnectedness and about what they tell us about their present-day counterparts. Questions arise on how to address the development of ‘connection’ as an influential tool and/or lens of global history.

What do we do if our research fails to connect? How do we work with and embrace disconnected stories, unsuccessful connections, or even incompatibility within general historical practice? By acknowledging and constructively working with disconnected stories as well as seemingly impossible research, this graduate workshop aims to provide a forum for discussion and an opportunity for hands-on grappling with disconnection and disconnectedness in global and connected history with a focus on the Mediterranean.

Consciously breaking with conventional frameworks of proposals, we welcome fragments of writing up to 2000 words. This may be your dissertation chapter lagging behind, a rejected paper, a half-baked draft etc. The submitted piece must include sources and clearly present instances of disconnection, disconnectedness, or failure to provide a comprehensive and/or connected story. Successfully papers will be workshopped and presented by another participant.