Conference program: The Problem of Eurocentrism in Global Diplomatic History

Spilbergen meeting king Vimaladharmasoorya of Kandy, 1602. From the book De reis van Joris van Spilbergen naar Ceylon, Atjeh en Bantam (1601 - 1604) published by De Van Linschoten Vereniging (XXXVIII). Via Wikimedia Commons.

The Problem of Eurocentrism in Global Diplomatic History, Stockholm University, 23-24 January 2025 

The conference is a collaboration between the Global Diplomacy Network and the Hans Blix Centre for the History of International Relations. Keynote speaker is Ayşe Zarakol.

The Conference takes place in Bergmansalen, Aula Magna, Stockholm University.

With funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the Swedish Research Council. 

Register for online participation by e-mailing birgit.tremml@historia.su.se.

Conference programme: Day 1

9:00 Welcome

9:15 – 10:45 Panel 1 “Eurocentrism and the History of Diplomacy in the Islamic World”

Chair: Aryo Makko, Försvarshögskolan

• The Hajj Diplomacy in 15th century Mamluk Egypt: Malika Dekkiche, Universiteit Antwerpen
• Life and death of African Frontiers, the Diplomacy of Borders between Kanem and Borno, 1575-1578: Rémi Dewière, Università di Napoli L'Orientale
• Same Same but Different: ‘Sociability’ and ‘Friendship’ in Early Modern Istanbul: Florian Kühnel, Leibniz-Institut für Europäische Geschichte, Mainz

10:45 – 11: 15 Fika

11:15 – 12:30 Roundtable: “The Problem with Eurocentrism in Diplomatic History and International Relations”

Chair: Guido van Meersbergen, University of Warwick

With: 

• Lisa Hellman, Lunds universitet
• Ayse Zarakol, University of Cambridge
• Jan Hennings, Central European University, Vienna
• Leos Müller, Stockholms universitet

12:30 – 13:30 Lunch

13:30 – 14:30 Panel 2 “Centrisms and Hegemonic Orders” 

Chair: Kristoffer Edelgaard Christiansen, Lunds universitet

• The Changing Gender of Diplomacy, ca 1750-1960: A Global View: Ann Towns, Göteborgs universitet
• Sinocentrism in the history of premodern East Asian foreign relations: Polina Barducci, Lunds universitet

14:30 - 15:00 Fika

15:00 – 16:30 Panel 3 “Provincializing European Diplomacy”,

Chair: Isak Kronberg, Linnéuniversitet

• Eastern European Diplomacies and the Limits of a Pan-European Lingua Franca: Vladislav Rjéoutski, German Historical Institute, Paris
• Hidden in plain sight: global dimensions in diplomatic financial services in Europe: Tessa de Boer, Universiteit Leiden
• Peace: A European Affair: Dorothée Goetze, Mittuniversitetet, Sundsvall

16:30 – 17.15 Break

17:15 – 18:30 Keynote by Ayşe Zarakol: Eurocentrism in Global IR

Chair: Lisa Hellman 

19:30 Dinner

Conference programme: Day 2

09:00 – 10:30 Panel 5 “Conceptualizing Commensurability and Diplomatic Agency, 1500-1800”

Chair: Birgit Tremml-Werner, Stockholms universitet

• Malukans, Iberians and the making of a Global Spice Diplomacy (1511-1606): José Miguel Escribano Páez, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla
• Conceptualizing Commensurability in Diplomatic History: The Early Modern View: Zoltán Biedermann, University College London
• Tranquebar’s Tamil Protector: The Case of Rama Nayak, 1657-1698: Mathias Karlsmose, Stockholms universitet

10:30 Fika

11:00 – 12:30 Plenary discussion: “Function over Form: Mechanisms of inter-polity relations beyond written treaties” 

With:

• Kathy Wellen, KITLV, Leiden
• Birgit Tremml-Werner, Stockholms universitet
• Tim Lubin, Washington and Lee University
• Badriyah Yusof, Universiti Brunei Darussalam 

Discussant: Stefan Eklöf Amirell, Linnéuniversitet

12:45 – 14:00  Lunch

14:00 – 15:00 Panel 6 “Treaty Making in Oceania in the Nineteenth Century”

Chair: Eleonora Poggio, Linnéuniversitet  

• A late entry into the World System, right to its forefront: Diplomacy in 19th century Oceania: Lorenz Gonschor, University of the South Pacific, Fiji
• Diplomatic Relations of the Hawaiian Kingdom: Keanu Sai, University of Hawai’i

15:00 – 15:30 Fika

15:30 – 17:00 Concluding Discussion: Writing a Global Diplomatic Handbook

Chair: Guido van Meersbergen