Call for Papers
50th Annual Economic and Business History Society Conference
“Forging New Frontiers”
May 29-31, 2025
Birmingham, Alabama
The Economic and Business History Society (EBHS) is proud to announce its 50th annual conference, to be held in Birmingham, Alabama, on May 29-31, 2025. As we mark half a century of pioneering interdisciplinary research, we invite scholars to explore the theme of “Forging New Frontiers” in economic and business history.
We welcome papers and panels examining how economies, businesses, industries, and markets have demonstrated resilience by adapting their strategies, structures, and practices in response to catalysts for change across all historical eras. The conference committee will consider proposals on any aspect of economic and business history, broadly construed.
We are also pleased to announce our keynote speaker, Dr. Robert Fleck, Professor of Economics at Clemson University. Dr. Fleck’s main fields of interest include political economy, public finance, economic history, law and economics, and development economics. Much of his current research focuses on the causes and consequences of major political and economic transitions and on why only some countries adopt successful political and economic reforms.
Additionally, this year’s conference fees are listed below:
- Early Bird Registration (registered before April 15): $325
- Full Registration (registered after April 15): $400
- Early Scholar (Ph.D. earned within 5 years): $275
- Graduate Student: $150
Registration will open beginning early spring.
Birmingham, known as “The Pittsburgh of the South,” provides a unique backdrop for our theme. From its 1871 founding as a planned industrial center, the city rapidly grew into a world-leading producer of pig iron, steel, and coal, driving the New South’s post-Reconstruction manufacturing boom. Yet Birmingham also holds an indelible place in the civil rights movement, whose campaigns challenged racial injustices constraining economic opportunities. Thus, we also encourage proposals analyzing how the interlinked social, political, and economic spheres reshaped the frontier of civil rights and its societal and economic impacts.
In recent years, Birmingham has undergone a remarkable renaissance, emerging as one of the New South’s most vibrant cultural and culinary hubs. With seven James Beard Award-winning restaurants and a thriving arts scene, the city offers a perfect blend of historical significance and modern dynamism.
The conference will be based at the Hilton at UAB hotel, ideally situated in the heart of downtown Birmingham. This location puts attendees just steps away from the city’s award-winning culinary scene and minutes from major attractions. The hotel is offering a special conference rate of $159 per night.
Please submit your paper or panel proposal by January 31st, 2025. Submissions should include:
- The title of the presentation
- An abstract of no more than 500 words
- 3-5 Keywords
- Contact details for each presenter
Proposals should be submitted through our website.
We look forward to welcoming you to Birmingham in 2025 for this milestone event, where we’ll not only explore new frontiers in our disciplines but also celebrate half a century of EBHS contributions to economic and business history.
For more information, please visit our website at https://ebhsoc.org or contact the conference president John Dove (jadove@troy.edu) or the conference chair Jason Taylor (taylo2je@cmich.edu).
Photo credit: Ron Cogswell: Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark — Birmingham (AL), February 2019 (cropped and modified). CC BY 2.0.
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Robert Fleck, Professor of Economics at Clemson University, will be our keynote speaker at the upcoming EBHS conference (May 29-31, 2025). Dr. Fleck’s expertise spans several fields, including political economy, public finance, economic history, law and economics, and development economics. His current research delves into the causes and consequences of major political and economic transitions and explores why only some countries adopt successful political and economic reforms.
