Final Programme Released for "Periodicals and the World"

The final programme for the 2026 ESPRit Conference, "Periodicals and the World", is now available:

Hosted by the Royal Library of Belgium (KBR) in Brussels from 9 to 11 September 2026, the conference will bring together more than 130 scholars from across the globe to explore the many ways in which periodicals have shaped—and continue to shape—literary, cultural and intellectual life. Bringing together researchers working across different languages, traditions and historical periods, the conference reflects the breadth and vitality of contemporary periodical studies.

The programme features more than seventy panels alongside roundtables, networking opportunities and social events, offering participants the chance to engage with current research from a wide range of methodological and geographical perspectives.

This year's keynote speakers are:

Barbara Mittler (Heidelberg University)
Christopher Ouma (Duke University)
Stefano Evangelista (University of Oxford)

Together, their lectures will address periodicals from global, postcolonial and literary perspectives, complementing a programme that examines the circulation of print cultures across borders and the diverse "worlds" created through periodical publishing.

Registration remains open

Registration for the conference is still open and will remain available until 17 August 2026.

Whether you are an established scholar, an early-career researcher or a postgraduate student interested in periodical studies, "Periodicals and the World" offers an opportunity to exchange ideas, discover new research and strengthen international collaborations within the ESPRit community.

We look forward to welcoming participants to Brussels this September.

The full programme, registration details and practical information are available on the conference website.