Call For Papers: Nostalgia and Radical Politics, Past and Present

Centre for Historical Studies, University of Northampton, UK

Monday 15 – Tuesday 16 June 2026

Nostalgia, defined most simply as a wistful or sentimental longing for a past period or set of conditions, has played a significant role in the shaping of historical and contemporary political discourses, and it has been particularly associated with right-leaning individuals and groups. However, as Wohl et al (2023) have noted, collective nostalgia is experienced across the political spectrum, though the focus and content of that nostalgia may differ significantly according to political affiliation. Radical politics, meanwhile, encompasses both the left and right wings of the political spectrum, and may be broadly defined as political ideology that advocates for fundamental (sometimes characterised as extreme) changes to a society’s structure, social order, and/or political system. At this workshop, we are interested in how nostalgia – which has often been associated with conservatism – is utilised by individuals, groups and movements that may be characterised as politically radical. We are interested in papers on any area of the world, and while the conference is intended as broadly historical in focus, this can include near-contemporary case studies and discussion. Colleagues working in all periods of history and across disciplines are very welcome to submit abstracts for twenty-minute papers.

This two-day workshop builds on the momentum established by the Politicised Nostalgias conference held at the University of Northampton in 2024, which has resulted in two forthcoming volumes with Arc Humanities Press. It is hoped that this event will ultimately result in another edited volume tentatively entitled Political Nostalgias – Radical Worlds. Part of the time scheduled at the workshop will be given over to discussing editorial and content decisions relating to creating a formal proposal. We will also be interested in recruiting editors for this volume to join our current editorial team, which comprises:

• Political Nostalgias – Ancient and Medieval Worlds: Rachel Moss, Ricarda Meisl, Helen Roche
• Political Nostalgias – Postcolonial and Postimperial Worlds – Dion Georgiou and Daniel Grey

Series editor – Rachel Moss

The workshop is funded by The British Academy/Leverhulme Trust Small Research Grant won by Dr Rachel Moss, ‘Medievalism, gender and politicised nostalgia in the British extreme right, 1962 – 1982’ (SRG2425\250870). Accordingly there will be no registration fee for the event, which we hope will make it accessible to early career and precarious scholars. The University of Northampton’s Waterside campus is well situated for access to the railway station, which connects Northampton to Birmingham (1 hour) and London (50 min – 1h15). There is a hotel (Sunley Hotel) on campus, and a range of hotels within easy access of campus.

To apply for a place at the workshop, please submit an abstract of no more than 250 words along with your contact details to Rachel.Moss@northampton.ac.uk by 14 February 2026. Presenting at the conference does not commit you to contributing to the edited volume and does not constitute an offer of a place within the volume, but it is hoped that the majority of contributors will be part of the final book. We welcome scholars at all career stages.

Dr Rachel Moss

Rachel Moss is an Associate Professor in History at the University of Northampton. A medievalist by training, she is a specialist in gender and family in late medieval England and is developing a new research strand on the role of medievalism in the extreme right. She has recently been awarded a British Academy and Leverhulme Small Grant for her project ‘Medievalism, gender and politicised nostalgia in the British extreme right, 1962 – 1982’.