14th International Conference on the History of Chemistry (14 ICHC)

Every other year the EuChemS Working Party on the History of Chemistry organizes an international conference on the history of chemistry, open to colleagues from all over the world. The general aim of the conferences organised by the WP is to facilitate communication between historically interested chemists, museum curators, science educators and historians of chemistry, and to gather the community on a regular basis. The 14th International Conference on the History of Chemistry (14 ICHC) will take place from 11 to 14 of June, 2025 in Valencia, Spain, on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

The 14 ICHC will be hosted by the Lopez Piñero Inter-University Institute - University of Valencia, an academic institution which supports research projects and outreach activities on historical and social studies on medicine, technology, science and the environment. The Institute is located in a restored 18th century palace in the centre of the city of Valencia, where the Historical-Medical Library and the Scientific-Medical Collection of the University of Valencia are located, with permanent and temporary monographic exhibitions.

The conference programme will include scientific sessions, key-note lectures, the WP business meeting, as well as social events such as excursions, a reception, and a conference dinner. As in the previous ICHC conferences, the conference fees will be kept as low as possible, covering welcome reception, coffee breaks and lunches. For more information about preparing your submission and the conference presentation, please check the proposal guidelines. 

The general conference theme is Chemistry & capitalism with the aim to foster debates about the relationship between chemistry broadly constructed, industry, environment, and regulations through a historical perspective. A non-exhaustive list of possible topics includes:

-chemistry/chymistry in the market before capitalism

-artisans & industries

-globalization & corporative powers

-experts in economy & science

-Fascist science

-Communist science

-gendered technologies

-regulation & decision-making

- commodification & circulation of chemistry

-toxics & agriculture

-environmental history

-labor & trade unions in chemistry

-neoliberalism & academy

-communicating science and propaganda 

-chemistry in mass media

Sessions and papers on all aspects of the historical development of material and life sciences are also welcomed.

Important Dates:

- Deadline for submitting proposals: 1 December 2024

- Notification of acceptance: January 2025

- Provisional program: February 2025

-Early bird registration: before 15 April 2025

-Normal fee registration (deadline to appear on the program): 15 May 2025

- Final program: May 2025

- Conference dates: 11-14 June 2025 (Saturday excursion included)