The Society for the History of Alchemy and Chemistry (SHAC) invites proposals for the 2025 iteration of its annual postgraduate and early career workshop, ‘Alchemy and Chemistry as Vessels for Cultural Discourse’. This conference seeks to explore the interface between (al)chemical work and various facets of culture outside of the laboratory. For as long as the disciplines have been studied, alchemy and chemistry have not only been integral to scientific discourse, but have also served as mirrors reflecting the social, political, and religious currents of their times.

Papers might explore, for example, the ways in which alchemical iconography reflects the political tensions of the climate in which they were produced, as well as the role of chemistry in the Industrial Revolution or the discipline of astrochemistry reflecting a Zeitgeist of interest in worlds beyond our own.

Selected papers from the conference will be considered for publication in a special edition (or special series) of Ambix: Journal for the History of Alchemy and Chemistry.

We welcome proposals for 20 minute talks by graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and early career scholars who have received their doctorate no more than three years ago. If you are interested in presenting your work, please send an abstract of approximately 300 words and a short bio to SHAC Student Representative Josh Werrett, at studentrep@ambix.org. The deadline for submissions is 30th September 2024.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Josh Werrett at the above email address.