Call for Papers
For a NEW presentation opportunity for graduate students,
see the SMH (Grad Student) TALKS CFP.
92nd Annual Meeting of the Society for Military History
March 26-29, 2026, Arlington, VA
Deadline for submissions: Friday October 17, 2025
Submissions should be sent as a single PDF to
smhmeeting2026@gmail.com
The Society for Military History is pleased to call for papers for its 92nd Annual Meeting, hosted at the Crystal Gate Marriott, Arlington, Virginia.
The Program Committee’s objective is to create a slate of panels that represent the breadth of expertise and interests, as well as the overall diversity of the Society’s wide-ranging membership. Proposals for panels and papers on all facets of military history (broadly defined) will be considered for inclusion. We encourage new and existing Society members, whether in academic institutions, the armed forces and governmental agencies, museums and archives, independent scholars, or employed internationally, to participate.
Priority will be given to complete panel submissions that highlight the presentation of original research, new interpretations, topics of immediate interest to our membership, and cutting-edge trends and subject matter. Roundtable submissions and proposals for individual papers and posters are also welcome. For details see below.
Panel, paper, and poster proposals must include the following information:
- Panel proposals (ideally of three papers) must include: a panel title and 300-word abstract summarizing the theme of the panel; paper titles and a 300-word abstracts for the three papers proposed; and a one-page professional curriculum vitae for each panelist (including the chair and commentator). CVs must include professional affiliation and email address, but should not contain other personal information.
- Roundtable proposals must include a roundtable title, the full names and professional affiliations of each participant, a 300-word abstract summarizing the roundtable’s themes, points of discussion, and expected contribution of each participant; and a one-page curriculum vitae for each participant (including the moderator, if any). Roundtables may follow different formats but should plan for no more than 5-minute presentations by individual participants.
- Poster proposals allow military historians (especially, but not limited to, graduate students) to share their research through visual materials. Proposals should clearly explain (in no more than 300 words) the poster’s topics and arguments, as well as how the information will be presented visually and include a one-page curriculum vitae. This year we also especially encourage posters on the teaching of military history at all levels. The poster format is well suited to conveying information about teaching tools, tricks, and materials. In coordination with the SMH committee on teaching, and with the author’s permission, select posters may be displayed at an SMH table at conferences for educators (such as the National Council for History Education and the National Council for Social Studies).
- Individual paper proposals will also be considered and must include a paper title, 300-word abstract of the paper, and one-page curriculum vitae. If accepted, individual papers will be assigned by the program committee to an appropriate panel with a chair and commentator. Presenters who wish to volunteer to serve as chairs and commentators should send a one-page curriculum vitae to the program committee chair at the email listed below.
- Proposal (and abstract for each paper included) explains the topic, research questions, methodologies, and historiographic significance in ways that specialists and non-specialists alike can understand. Points will be assessed for both panel and paper abstracts (16 points: 4 points each for 3 papers, and 4 points for overall panel)
- Panel or roundtable proposal clearly articulates the rationale for bringing their specific set of papers or speakers together. Roundtable proposals should not merely submit a list of names (10 points)
- Panel or roundtable proposal reflects the SMH’s desire to sustain and expand the vibrancy and diversity of its membership (does not apply to individual submissions) (5 points)
Call for Young Scholars Papers (B.A. and M.A. students): B.A. and M.A. students are encouraged to submit individual paper proposals. Submissions should include a 300-word abstract of the paper and a one-page curriculum vitae. If accepted, individual papers will be assigned by the program committee to an appropriate panel with a chair/commentator. Proposals will be evaluated using the criteria outlined above.
Please note that participants may present one paper, serve on a roundtable, or provide panel comments. They may not fill more than one of these roles during the conference, with the following exception: members who act as panel chairs may deliver a paper, serve on a roundtable, or offer comments in another session. Members who serve as both chair and commentator of a single session may not present in another session. Exceptions may be made for commissioned panels by conference sponsors and the presidential/vice presidential panels. If members attach themselves to more than one proposal, then the first proposal to be submitted will be considered for inclusion, but any subsequent proposals that include that member will be rejected.
Submissions sent to smhmeeting2026@gmail.com are preferred. Submissions may also be sent via Google Forms; a Google account is not required: https://forms.gle/yhoTAPLxSMC1SmjJ9. Panels and Roundtables should designate one person as the main contact to submit all required materials, which they will cut and paste into the form. Please keep formatting to a minimum as Google Forms will not retain formatting such as italics.
For questions about the submission process, please contact the Program Committee at smhmeeting2026@gmail.com.
All proposals must be submitted by October 17, 2025. All accepted presenters, chairs, and commentators must be members of the Society for Military History by December 31, 2025, to be placed on the conference program.
