TRAC 2027 – Call for Sessions

The TRAC Standing Committee are pleased to invite proposals for themed conference sessions for the 35^th Theoretical Roman Archaeology Conference.

TRAC 2027 welcomes sessions that address all aspects of theoretical Roman archaeology. The organising team specifically invites sessions taking a comparative diachronic approach regarding Roman archaeology and other archaeological and historical cultures, or take a long-horizon perspective and consider the Roman world in relation to prior or subsequent periods. We also welcome proposals for sessions that consider the application of a specific theoretical model in diachronic perspectives but include the Roman world.

To facilitate collaboration, the organising team will endeavour to offer match making for prospective session
organisers who want to run a joint session with colleagues from another country but might require an introduction.
Following the submission deadline for session proposals, we will also offer an opportunity for complementary
session topic organisers to connect and offer a joint (double) session.

TRAC 2027 especially encourages sessions that consider:

• Diachronic and cross-cultural perspectives on theoretical approaches in the Roman world and beyond
• Decolonising archaeology (including curriculum) – insights from other subjects are welcome
• Transformation of empires – diachronic and cross-cultural comparisons with the Roman Empire
• Sustainable Heritage – Managing and developing Roman cultural heritage sites and what we can learn from non-Roman sites
• ‘New materialities’ including in the digital age
• (Dis)connectivities in human-environment-object relationships
• Beyond binaries and dualities in archaeological theory
• Approaches to subservience and ‘otherness’
• Challenging spatio-temporal understandings

Session Format

A TRAC session should consist of 4 to 6 presentations (double-sessions and half-sessions will be considered)
Presentations should last no longer than 20 minutes. The format can be standard, workshop or a round-table. Note that for Round-tables we expect prospective organisers to provide a detailed plan of the session, including how to encourage and moderate audience participation. Speakers are asked to leave sufficient time at the end of their papers for questions from the audience, though time for more general discussion will also be included at the end of sessions or before breaks. The official conference language is English.

Session Proposal should include:

• Session title
• Name, affiliation, postal address and email of the proposer(s). Please make sure you receive explicit consent from prospective speakers and co-organisers prior to applying.
• A short description of the theme or subject area of the session (not more than 300 words).
• Proposed session can have a list of proposed speakers, but no more than 4/6 for a regular session. Session proposals can submit a list of up to 4 of 6 proposed speakers (for a regular session) and titles/themes of their presentations.

Session proposals should be submitted using the form below.

Session proposals will be considered by the joint organising team and sessions proposers will be informed of the Committee’s decision by email. The Theoretical Roman Archaeology Conference will hold a general session for any papers that do not correspond with any of the proposed themed sessions.

Deadline: 31st November 2026

A Call for Papers will follow in December 2026.

For any issues with submissions please contact Paul Vadineanu.