The In/Out: Histories of Health and Healthcare Conference 2026 is set to be a significant academic event, challenging scholars to examine the structural, material, emotional, and psychological boundaries that have shaped the history of health and healthcare from antiquity to the present day. Hosted at the University of Leeds from 30 June to 3 July 2026, this international conference asks fundamental questions about what it means to be ‘in good health’ and how individuals have historically navigated the gateways, routes, breaks, and barriers of medical systems.

Exploring the Boundaries of Care

As healthcare systems globally face mounting pressure in terms of capacity, cost, and capabilities, the ‘In/Out’ theme offers a critical lens. This concept helps us understand the impact of different forms of access—or lack thereof—on people’s experiences of health, disability, illness, and medical care in the past.

The conference particularly seeks to reveal the experiences of those who were out of the formal healthcare system. This includes individuals who could not, or chose not to, access care, or whose access was partial, delayed, interrupted, or contingent. By doing so, the event aims to uncover the associated legacies of harm that can accompany such care inequalities.

Furthermore, ‘In/Out’ applies to medical practitioners themselves. Whether inside or outside formal care settings, givers and receivers of healthcare have historically entered and exited practice, offering a unique perspective on their own professional and personal experiences.

Call for Proposals: Themes and Submission Details

Taking a broad definition of both ‘in’ and ‘out,’ proposals are invited from scholars considering experiences of being in and/or out of health or health care in any period or geographical location. We particularly welcome papers and panels that are explicitly inclusive and embed diversity into our discussions.

Potential submission formats include:

• 20-minute individual papers: Must include a paper title, a 250-word abstract, and a 150-word speaker bio.
• Full panels: Require a panel title, a 200-word rationale, a chair’s bio, and the material (title, abstract, bio) for 3-4 papers.
• 1.5 hr roundtable/interactive sessions: Need a session title, a 300-word rationale, a 200-word outline of the format and room setup requirements, and bios for the chair and speakers.

For further details on potential themes and the scope of the conference, please visit the official page: https://sshm.org/sshm-2026/.

Key Dates and Contact Information

All submissions must be emailed as a single document attachment to the conference organisers.

Detail	Information
Conference Dates	30 June to 3 July 2026
Location	University of Leeds, UK
Submission Deadline	5.00pm (GMT) 11th January 2026
Notification of Acceptance	Beginning of February 2026
Submission Email	sshm2026leeds@gmail.com

If your session format does not align with the standard definitions, please contact the conference organisers via the submission email to discuss alternative potential formats.