The workshop took 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 moved 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 lasted 45 minutes, consisting of an opening 10-minute exposition by each scholar, and was followed by an improvised, freewheeling conversation. Audience participation formed a major role in the discussions. The workshop closed with a reflection on the methodological trajectories of cross-contextualization by Sujit Sivasundaram.
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