Women’s Leadership in European and Transatlantic Political and Intellectual History
Gender, Authority and the Formation of Women’s Modern Political Culture
Overview
The event will be convened in Potsdam from 12 to 15 October 2026 as part of the wider launch framework of the international research initiative marking the 250th anniversary of Adam Smith’s “The Wealth of Nations” and the associated interdisciplinary project on Enlightenment Europe and the formation of modern intellectual life.
It constitutes a dedicated academic programme examining the historical development, key moments, intellectual trajectories, and formative figures, books, texts and networks that have contributed to the formation of women’s modern political culture in European and transatlantic contexts.
The programme examines women’s participation in and contribution to the structures and practices through which political authority, knowledge production and cultural exchange were constituted in Europe and across the Atlantic world from the eighteenth century onwards.
Locations
Based in Geneva, the Forum will be hosted across a number of significant political, historic, and cultural venues throughout the city.
Participants »
Participation in the Forum is open to government and diplomatic officials, academics, artists, representatives of civil society, members of the private sector, and young professionals.
If you would like to reserve a position and participate in the forum, please click on the link below and fill out the online application form:
If you would like to reserve a position and participate in the conference, please click on the link below and fill out the online application form:
Participant Papers »
The Conference Committee encourages academic research and analysis of issues related to the goals of the Conference. The Conference Committee would therefore like to welcome the participants of the conference to submit a paper they would like to be considered for presentation at the conference as well as being included in the proposal document that will be issued following the conference and will be sent to all governments and leaders of the international community.
