Theme:
Extreme winters constitute a formative experience in global climate experiences. They are particularly well-documented, provide a unique basis for comparative approaches and connect to collective memory and “climate storytelling” today. Key past anomalies include the 1690s, 1708/9, 1740s, 1780s often amplified by volcanic events. While their short-term negative impacts are often well-known, the longer-term “compound impacts” (Zscheischler et al., 2020; Duvat 2026) remain understudied. These include human and agrarian health pathways and migration patterns. Additionally, comparative approaches are exceedingly rare, even though their common causative mechanisms offer great potential.
This workshop will explore rapid and short-term socio-environmental consequences, as well as long-term changes induced by adverse effects of extreme cold events in western and northern Europe and across the world during the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. Consideration will be given to how climate-induced stressors may have acted directly, or indirectly, in synergy with other institutional, political, and socio-economic factors and programmatic and policy gaps. We will also trace differential effects on various socio-demographic groups and investigate claims of declining impacts or increasing adaptability.
The aim of this meeting is to develop a comparative structure of delayed, compounded and distal effects of climate anomalies. The meeting will be used to initiate a comparative perspectives article in a key journal, comparatively exploring a key event, such as the winter of 1709. Depending on the response, we also consider the preparation of an edited book in the series “Historical Catastrophe Studies” (De Gruyter Brill).
Format:
This two-day meeting will be held in English. It is designed to be interdisciplinary and aimed at researchers in all career stages. While it will mainly welcome environmental historians, researchers and students from other disciplines such as geography, climatology, dendrochronology and volcanology are also welcome, with preference given to socionatural approaches. We also encourage museum practitioners, climate communicators, and societal stakeholders with an interest in past climate to apply. Participation is free of charge, but places are limited. Travel grants will be available for early career researchers.
Application:
Please submit a one-page summary of your English presentation, a short CV, and an indication of whether you require travel support by 15 November 2026 here: https://nettskjema.no/a/641114.