The Department of History at the European University Institute (EUI) will host its eighteenth Summer School in Global and Transnational History, on September 12-14 2022, in an online format. This year, the theme will be What is European History in the 21st Century?

In the nearly half century since the EUI History Department was established, the contours of European history have shifted away from nation-based or comparative approaches. The department now defines itself a center for the study of transnational, global and comparative history. All of these approaches are implicitly about creating a new history of Europe, but how are they accomplishing this goal? What is the outlook for the future of this project? This summer school is devoted to asking, “What is European History in the 21st Century?” As historians call for the decolonization of history, and, simultaneously, face the historical distortions encouraged by resurgent populist nationalisms, reflection on the possibilities and problems of European history have never seemed more urgent. Should European history bring to the centre of its narratives, peoples and societies who are traditionally considered marginal to Europe? How can European History illuminate the global and transnational dynamics which have shaped the lives of differently situated Europeans?

The EUI Department of History, situated in the hills of Florence, is a major centre for the study of comparative and transnational European history and of European history in a global perspective. Its annual Summer School has established itself as an exciting and stimulating experience for postgraduate students.

The Summer School will combine discussion of methodological issues in global, transnational and comparative history with case studies by leading specialists from the European University Institute and other major universities.