The Baltic and the Mediterranean coasts of Europe developed a sustained interdependence in the Early Modern period, as a result of increasing commercial and financial connections and large-scale dynastic conflicts. New forms of governance, international diplomacy, mercantile organizations and transport infrastructures emerged. The economic, cultural and political networks in Europe grew larger and more complex. They were not limited to the Baltic or Mediterranean basins anymore, but reached distant seas and continents, from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans.

The conference “From Seas to Oceans” aims to explore the mutual influence between the Iberian and the Nordic worlds and how it contributed to the development of European and global connections in the Early Modern period. The conference is organized by SWESP –The International Research Network of Historical connections between Spain and Sweden– with the support of the Spanish Embassy in Sweden, the History Department at Uppsala University, the CEMAS (Centre for Maritime Studies, Stockholm University) and the Universidad Complutense de Madrid.

The conference will take place at Stockholm University on May 8-9, 2023 and follows a twofold format. First, there will be panels to present work-in-progress research. Doctoral candidates will have the opportunity to present their research and receive feedback from senior scholars. Second, there will be roundtable sessions to discuss future lines of research, book presentations, and support cooperation between northern and southern European researchers of the Early Modern period. On the first evening, a reception will be held at the Spanish Embassy in Sweden.

Call for Papers
We invite doctoral and postdoctoral researchers to present papers, dealing with connections, influences and circulations between the Iberian and the Scandinavian Peninsulas. We particularly welcome papers on the following topics: the construction of global commodity chains, the emergence of international cooperation and migration, the globalization of peripheral regions and maritime societies, and the exchange of political, scientific and technological knowledge. However, any other topics focusing on the connections between the Iberian and Baltic worlds are also welcome, as well as case studies on any of this regional spaces.

Applicants should submit a proposal before 31 January 2023 to swespworkshops[at]gmail.com.

Proposals should consist of a provisional title, short CV (1 page), and an abstract of a maximum of 250 words.

The organization will also provide at least five scholarships to cover travel and accommodation expenses of early-stage researchers not residing in Sweden. If interested, please include a short motivation letter of 100-150 words on how your participation in the conference can impact your research. The selected candidates for the scholarships will be informed by 1st of February.

Guest scholars
The conference will have the participation of the following senior scholars: Leos Müller (Stockholm University), Stefan Eklöf Amirell (Linneus University), Hanna Hodacs (Uppsala University), Joachim Östlund (Lund University), Margaret Hunt (Uppsala University), Manuel Herrero Sánchez (Pablo de Olavide University), Ana Crespo Solana (CSIC-CCSH), Oscar Recio Morales (Complutense University of Madrid), Mathieu Grenet (INU Champollion), and Rafal Reichert (University of Warsaw).

Research projects

The conference has the support of the following research projects:
- La Monarquía Hispánica, la circulación de los metales preciosos y la globalización financiera en el Mediterráneo (1568-1798) [HISFIMED]. PID2021-124500NA-I00. Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación.
- La Monarquía Hispánica y el Oriente de Europa: Visiones imaginadas y articulación real de Polonia y Rusia en la Edad Moderna. PID2021-123689NB-I00. Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación.