Conference call for Presentations, Workshops, Panel Discussions & Posters.
Deadline for submissions: December 8, 2025
Contact email: cll-sigs@strath.ac.uk
Date and place of conference: June 25-26, 2026. University of Strathclyde, Scotland and hybrid access.
Download a PDF version of the conference call.
The Strathclyde Institute for Genealogical Studies (SIGS) will hold an international academic genealogy conference in Scotland at the University of Strathclyde, June 25-26, 2026. The conference will be hybrid with some events in person only including evening receptions. On June 24, a separate symposium on professional genealogy practice hosted by the Association for Professional Genealogists (APG) will be held on campus and via hybrid access.
The conference will be interdisciplinary in nature and will explore a variety of topics, including genetic genealogy, history, and genealogy, with parallel streams featuring keynote presentations and guest lectures. Academic year 2026-27 will mark the 20th anniversary of the postgraduate taught programme in genealogical studies at the University of Strathclyde and this conference will begin a year of celebration. In honour of this, a particular theme is that of looking back and forward at developments in genealogy.
Submissions should be aimed at an audience with an intermediate to advanced level of knowledge and understanding. Proposals are welcomed which explore the outcomes of research projects, developments in practice and pedagogy, or consider the theoretical basis of interdisciplinarity in these fields. Proposals are also sought which tend to cover the more practical applications of genetic genealogy, genealogy and/or history, to supplement the more academic based keynote presentations.
Proposal themes
Participants do not need to work in an academic environment or have a degree.
Speakers from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds are invited to share their experiences and thoughts around the following themes:
- Intersection of genealogy/family history and history
- Genealogy education / genealogy as an academic discipline
- Use of AI in genealogy
- Innovative uses of genealogy/family history in research in other fields (such as history, psychology, archaeology, museum studies, etc.)
- Community development/cohesion and family history
- Looking back and forward at developments in genealogy over the last 20 years and into the future (what will genealogy be in 20 years?)
- Ethics in genealogy
- Genetic Genealogy: the following topics and their implications for genetic genealogy:
- ancient DNA,
- forensic investigative genetic genealogy (FIGG),
- genetic testing technologies and reference sequences,
- mtDNA
Proposals out with these themes will also be considered.
Recordings of the presentations will be made available for two months to conference participants.
Speakers and poster presenters will receive free registration for the conference. A limited amount of accommodation at the Caledonian University student housing is being arranged with inexpensive daily and weekly rates. Participants will be able to book this when conference registration opens.
Submission guidelines for presentations, panel discussions or workshops
The conference committee invites proposals for individual or co-presented presentations/panel discussions or workshops. Presentations shall be up to 20 minutes in length and separate time will be set aside for questions and answers. Workshops or panel discussions shall be an hour in length with time set aside for questions and answers within that hour. There is no provision for computer labs thus workshops must be possible with participant provided laptops or materials provided in-person by the speakers.
All proposals must be submitted via email by December 08, 2025. Acceptance decisions will be sent out by end of December 2025.
Please submit an abstract (200-300 words) and a biographical note (100 words) for each presenter. Also provide information on previous experience with presenting at conferences or other events.
Hybrid Option
We are planning for a limited number of slots for remote presentations in a hybrid setup at the conference (though on-campus presenters will be prioritised). When submitting your abstract to cll-sigs@strath.ac.uk , please indicate that a ‘remote presentation will be required’. If you have any questions regarding this hybrid option, please email cll-sigs@strath.ac.uk .
Submission guidelines for posters
There will be space for a limited number of posters which will be mounted on display boards and also made available to online conference participants. A poster competition will be held with conference participants voting for their favourite three posters (prizes TBA). Participants will be encouraged to view posters during refreshment and lunch breaks.
Posters are often created by students and/or those whose research is new or in-progress. A poster is a visual representation of a topic or project. An effective poster highlights, with a visual display, the main points or components of a project. Text and images should be large enough to be seen from a distance of several feet. The American Historical Association has some useful ideas on posters.
Posters must be made available in printed A0 format and in .pdf format (for viewing by online participants). Information on when to hang up, be present to discuss the poster and take down your poster will be provided when acceptance decisions are sent out but will be within the 25-26 June time period.
All poster proposals must be submitted via email by December 08, 2025. Acceptance decisions will be sent out by end of December 2025.
Please submit an abstract of your poster topic (200-300 words) and a biographical note (100 words). Submissions from current postgraduate students or graduates from the last 5 years will be prioritised as will anyone with no or little experience with presenting at conferences.
About SIGS
SIGS was established in 2022 to bring together individuals and organisations to share knowledge and build a thriving academic genealogy community for all. Learn more about our research projects, courses and events.
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