Santiago de Chile, 7–10 September 2027

For the first time in the southern hemisphere

Since its foundation in 2012, Kings & Queens has brought together researchers from around the world every year to study the monarchy: its history, symbols, gender relations, diplomatic role and its cultural legacy. In 2027, to mark the millennium of the birth of William the Conqueror, the conference will focus on war and conquest, a theme that will be explored across all historical periods and through the perspectives of the humanities, arts and social sciences.

Delegates at the 11th Kings & Queens Conference in Nantes, France, June 2022

Since ancient times, war and conquest have been central mechanisms in the establishing and legitimising monarchical power: from the Egyptian pharaohs to the Ottoman sultanates, a great many historical dynasties owe their existence to a military victory or a succession contested by force of arms. The Norman conquest of 1066 clearly illustrates this dynamic: Duke William’s victory at Hastings not only expanded his dominions, but also completely transformed language, law and the political identity of a kingdom.

The Conference

The Conference and the Royal Studies Network

Kings & Queens is a series of annual conferences dedicated to the study of monarchy and royalty, organised by the Royal Studies Network (RSN). Since its first edition at Bath Spa University (United Kingdom, 2012), the conference has been held at universities across Europe, North America and now, for the first time, in South America.

The Royal Studies Network is an international and interdisciplinary academic community that brings together researchers, lecturers and students whose work focuses on the monarchy across all eras and regions: the history and representation of sovereigns, courts and dynasties; relations with the aristocracy; the military and diplomatic role; succession and marriage policy; amongst other topics. The network brings this field together through the Kings & Queens conference, the Royal Studies Journal —an open-access journal— and various research resources, and has over 800 members worldwide.

The conference usually attracts over a hundred speakers and a large number of attendees, and since the pandemic it has also been held in a hybrid format. The activity is organised in themed parallel sessions and keynote lectures.

Keynote

Speakers

Eduardo Andrades
Universidad del Desarrollo, Chile

Michael Lewis
British Museum, United Kingdom

Hélène Sirantoine
University of Sydney, Australia

Organising

Committee

José Manuel Cerda
USS Humanities Lab

María Luisa Salazar
USS Humanities Lab

Alejandra Fuentes
USS Institute of History

Ángel Gordo
USS School of Humanities

Eduardo Fuentes
USS Institute of Philosophy

Ellie Woodacre
Royal Studies Network

Dustin Neighbors
Royal Studies Network

The ciy

Santiago de Chile

Santiago, capital of Chile, is a metropolis of 7 million people. The city combines first-class university facilities with a historical heritage that ties in directly with the conference’s themes: heir to the Hispanic tradition of conquest and monarchy, it was founded in 1541 as an outpost of the Spanish Empire at the southern tip of the continent, and its layout, architecture and institutions still bear the marks of that colonial history.

Situated between the Andes mountain range and the Pacific Ocean, it offers attendees an exceptional setting: spring-like weather in September with mild temperatures, and direct flights from Europe, North America, Oceania and the rest of Latin America. Santiago's international airport is 23 kilometres away form the university campus where the conference will take place.

Get involved

Application for speakers

The application period for paper proposals at this conference is open until January 29, 2027. Presentations will be 20 minutes long and both in-person and online proposals are welcome. The primary language of the conference is English.

Proposals will be assessed by the committee and the results will be announced before 26 February. Payment of conference fees is due by 31 March once a paper proposal is accepted. Conference fees: USD 120 for academics (includes lunch for the entire conference) and USD 60 for graduate students (bursaries available).

You can either submit an individual paper proposal or a strand of papers by completing the following form: