The Society for the Study of the Past launches at The Open University

The new Society for the Study of the Past was launched at The Open University on 6–7 October 2025, with its first annual meeting, on the topic 'Beyond Methodological Nationalism'. Scholars and activists from around the world joined conversations about the role of critical study of the past in the present moment, and discussed how reimagining history beyond nationalism could contribute to a more just world. The Society for the Study of the Past is a new subject organisation aimed at doing history in solidarity with the occupied and the oppressed, which was launched when the American Historical Association vetoed its members' desire to condemn the genocide (and scholasticide) of the Palestinian people. It builds on the work of the Critical Ancient World Studies collective (co-convened by Dr Marchella Ward, Classical Studies) or follow the Society on Instagram (@societyforthestudyofthepast) and Bluesky (@socstudyofthepast.bsky.social). 

The Society is grateful to The Open University (including Open ARC) for their support of this event.