Treaties and Tributes: Asian Agency and Performativity in Cross-Cultural Diplomacy, c. 1400–1975
Treaties and Tributes
Asian Agency and Performativity in Cross-Cultural Diplomacy, c. 1400–1975
Registration InformationAbout the Conference
This international conference examines diplomacy, tributary relationships, treaty-making, and cross-cultural encounters in Asia from approximately 1400 to 1975. It places Asian actors, their perspectives, and their agency at the centre of discussions of historical international relations.
The conference welcomes empirically grounded research as well as theoretical, methodological, and historiographical contributions. It is the second in a planned series of three conferences exploring cross-cultural diplomacy and treaty-making in Asia.
Conference Themes
Diplomatic Practices
- Tributary relations, treaty-making, and diplomatic norms
- Cross-cultural interpretations of political concepts
- Ceremonies, gifts, protocol, and diplomacy
- Interpersonal relations and emotions
- Sites of diplomacy and sensory experiences
- Trade and commercial dimensions
- Religion and diplomacy
Sources and Perspectives
- Translation and interpretation across languages and cultures
- Memory and preservation of diplomatic agreements
- Gender in diplomatic relations
- Diplomatics and the study of documents
- Methods and theories of Asian diplomatic history
- Material aspects of treaties and tributes
- Non-textual and unconventional historical sources
Call for Papers
Scholars at all career stages are welcome, with particular encouragement for doctoral students and early-career researchers based in Asia.
Panel Proposals
Panels should include 3–5 presentations, preferably representing at least two institutions or countries. Include the organiser/contact details, panel membership and roles, panel title, a 200–400-word panel abstract, and 100–300-word abstracts for each paper. A chair and commentator may also be included.
Individual Paper Proposals
Include presenter name(s), title(s), affiliation(s), email address(es), paper title, and a 100–300-word abstract. Accepted papers may be grouped into panels.
Submission format: Microsoft Word document. Submission deadline: 10 October 2026.
The original submission deadline has passed. For inquiries about late submissions or the submission email address, consult the original conference website. The original site protects its contact email using JavaScript.
View Original Call for Papers ↗Programme
The conference is expected to start at 9:00 am on 19 February and end at 18:00 on 21 February 2027. More details, including the conference programme, will follow.
Important Dates
| 10 October 2026 | Proposal submission deadline |
| 21 October 2026 | Notification of acceptance (by this date) |
| 21 October 2026 | Scholarship applications open |
| 1 November 2026 | Scholarship application deadline |
| 5 November 2026 | Scholarship decisions communicated (by this date) |
| 31 January 2027 | Registration deadline |
| 19–21 February 2027 | Conference in Bangkok |
Conference Registration
Participation is on site only. Please register using the link below. Registration details are provided by the organisers.
Presenters & Active Panel Participants
Conference fee: Free of charge.
Applies to paper presenters and active panel participants, such as chairs and commentators. Travel and accommodation are self-funded unless scholarship support is awarded.
Non-presenting Attendees
Conference fee: Free of charge.
Non-presenting attendees are welcome to attend free of charge. Advance registration is required.
The registration deadline is 31 January 2027. Participation is free of charge for all attendees.
Register Here ↗Scholarships
A limited number of scholarships may support travel and modest accommodation expenses for scholars from Asian low- and middle-income countries, based on the OECD classification referenced by the organisers. Priority is given to doctoral students and early-career researchers.
Applications are scheduled to open from 21 October 2026 for applicants whose papers have been accepted. The application deadline is 1 November 2026, with decisions communicated by 5 November 2026.
Venue & Accommodation
Thammasat University, Tha Prachan, Bangkok, Thailand. is centrally located in Bangkok, with accommodation options ranging from budget guesthouses to hotels nearby. Participants are responsible for arranging and paying for their own accommodation and travel.
Visitor Guide ↗Organisers & Partners
Organised by the Faculty of Political Science, Pridi Banomyong International College, and Thai Khadi Research Institute, Thammasat University, in collaboration with the Historical Treaties of Southeast Asia research programme, funded by the Swedish Research Council and hosted by Linnaeus University.
Organising Committee
- Prof. Dr. Stefan Eklöf Amirell — Linnaeus University
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Birgit Tremml-Werner — Stockholm University
- Dr. Thomas Bruce — Pridi Banomyong International College, Thammasat University
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Peera Charoenvattananukul — Faculty of Political Science, Thammasat University
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Ornthicha Duangratana — Pridi Banomyong International College, Thammasat University
- Dr. Preedee Hongsaton — International School of Interdisciplinary Humanities (ISIH), Faculty of Humanities, Chiang Mai University
- Dr. Wirawan Naruepiti — Thai Khadi Research Institute, Thammasat University
Contact & Further Information
For submission, registration, scholarship, and general inquiries, please refer to the organisers’ official conference website, Historical Treaties of Southeast Asia, where the contact address is displayed using email protection.