Transnational Humanitarianism, Gender and Health in War and Post-War (1850-1950) in Barcelona

The international conference Transnational Humanitarianism, Gender and Health in War and Post-War (1850-1950) will be held in Barcelona on July 2-3, 2026. Hosted at the prestigious Institución Milà i Fontanals de Investigación en Humanidades (IMF-CSIC), this two-day scientific meeting aims to explore the multifaceted evolution of humanitarian action during a century of global transformations.

Exploring the Intersections of Relief and Medicine

Until the mid-20th century, humanitarian action found its most prominent settings within the context of wars and subsequent post-war periods. This conference focuses on how transnational humanitarianism, gender and health intersected to shape modern relief efforts. Medical and health innovations—ranging from technological and practical advancements to conceptual and professional shifts—emerged and circulated globally during these periods of crisis, becoming a central pillar of international humanitarianism.

The Central Role of Gender in Humanitarian Action

A key thematic line of the event is the role of women as pivotal actors in relief and health initiatives. Participants will analyze how women acted as agents capable of transforming domestic public spaces and redefining professional roles across national and imperial borders. The conference seeks to highlight how these transnational networks influenced the history of medicine and social welfare.

Submission Guidelines and Deadlines

The organizing committee, led by Íñigo Marqués and Jacopo Pili, invites scholars to submit proposals for these thematic lines. To participate in the Transnational Humanitarianism, Gender and Health conference, please follow these instructions:

• Deadline for proposals: April 30, 2026.
• Submission requirements: A title and a 200-word abstract.
• Contact for submissions: Please send your proposals to inigo.marques@unizar.es and javier_martinez@unizar.es.

Event Details at a Glance

• Location: Institución Milà i Fontanals de Investigación en Humanidades (IMF-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain.
• Dates: July 2-3, 2026.
• Topic: Transnational humanitarianism, gender, and health (1850-1950).