The workshop will take place in the Department of History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Cambridge on 6 June 2025.
Following an introductory outline of our initial thoughts on the stakes of cross-contextualization in contemporary studies of the past, the workshop will move onto a series of five dialogues exploring the different ways in which cross-contextualization can, and whether it should, give an historiographical voice to a variety of disparate genres of sources, from oral histories and ethnographic museum collections to rocks, plants, and historical climate proxies. Each dialogue will last 45 minutes, consisting of an opening 10-minute exposition by each scholar, followed by an improvised, freewheeling conversation. Audience participation is strongly encouraged. The workshop will close with a reflection on the methodological trajectories of cross-contextualization, followed by an interactive, group discussion.
Programme for the day
10.00-10.30 | Introductory remarks
Gianamar Giovannetti-Singh & Mika Hyman
10.30-11.00 - Coffee break
11.00-11.45 | De-fossilising knowledge: can/should the lithosphere tell human stories?
Siyakha Mguni & Jeremy Schneider
11.45-12.00 – Coffee break
12.00-12.45 | Giving intentionally silenced archives a voice
Rabia Abba Omar & Theo di Castri
12.45-13.45 – Lunch break
13.45-14.30 | Manipulating measurements, appropriating ancient climates: the politics of environmental proxies
Anna Simon-Stickley & Amelia Urry
14.30-14.45 – Coffee break
14.45-15.30 | Contesting collecting: Indigenous material cultures
James Poskett & Lynette Russell
15.30-15.45 – Coffee break
15.45-16.30 | Rooted consumption: can/should plants speak
Mika Hyman & Sebestian Kroupa
16.30-16.45 – Coffee break
16.45-17.30 | Afterword and open discussion: Where next from cross-contextualization?
Sujit Sivasundaram