In the Public Interest: Transparency, Access, and Accountability in Federal History

The work of federal historians, editors, curators, and cultural resource practitioners fundamentally serves the public trust. By documenting government actions, preserving institutional memory, contextualizing policy decisions, and bringing the past to light, federal history provides the transparency and accountability essential to a democratic society.

The Society for History in the Federal Government (SHFG) invites proposals for its 2027 Annual Meeting exploring the theme "In the Public Interest: Transparency, Access, and Accountability in Federal History."

We welcome submissions that examine how historical practice interacts with public access, declassification, institutional ethics, and the evolving relationship between government agencies and the public. How do we uncover, interpret, and communicate the historical record in an era of shifting political, technological, and institutional landscapes?

Who Should Participate?

SHFG is committed to fostering a broad, substantive dialogue. We encourage proposals from a wide spectrum of professionals and scholars, including:

• Federal Historians, Editors, and Curators: Professionals working within civilian and military agencies to document, write, and exhibit government history.

• History-Adjacent Practitioners: Specialists in declassification, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) review, policy analysis, and cultural resource management whose work shapes public access to historical materials.

• Archivists and Information Professionals: Those who manage and facilitate access to government records and special collections.

• Academic Scholars and Students: Researchers studying American political history, public policy, administrative history, and the history of science, technology, and national security.

• History Professional Organizations & Public Historians: Allies and practitioners dedicated to making government history visible, engaging, and relevant to contemporary society.

Possible Topics and Subthemes

The Program Committee welcomes individual papers, panels, roundtables, and workshops addressing (but not limited to) the following areas:

• Making Government Visible: Case studies and methodologies in agency history, institutional biographies, and administrative history that illuminate how and why policies were made.

• Declassification, Access, and the Historical Record: Navigating the tensions between national security, transparency, and public right-to-know; working with declassification review processes.

• Editing and Publishing Federal History: Ethical, editorial, and technical challenges in producing documentary editions, official agency histories, and digital publications.

• Museums, Exhibits, and Public Interpretation: Curating government history for public audiences through museum exhibitions, historic sites, and digital public history initiatives.

• The Historian’s Ethical Mandate: Balancing institutional responsibilities, professional independence, and the commitment to historical truth.

• Interdisciplinary and Cross-Sector Perspectives: Collaborations between federal historians, academic researchers, and allied professionals to address major public policy questions through a historical lens.

Submission Formats

To foster dynamic dialogue and diverse perspectives, SHFG accepts proposals in multiple formats:

• Traditional Panel: At least three formal paper presentations, a chair, and a commentator (3–6 participants).

• Roundtable: Short, conversational presentations by panelists followed by interactive discussion with the audience (3–6 participants).

• Structured Conversation: Facilitated, participant-driven discussions prioritizing audience dialogue with little to no formal reading of papers (3–6 participants).

• Lightning Rounds: Short, high-energy presentations (maximum 5 minutes each) summarizing ongoing projects, digital tools, or research updates (up to 15 participants).

• Workshop: Sessions providing concrete, practical tools, methodologies, or skill-building lessons for attendees (15–30 participants).

• Individual Papers: Individual proposals are welcome; accepted papers will be grouped into cohesive panels by the Program Committee.

Submission Guidelines

All proposals should include a title and session abstract (200-300 words), brief abstracts of each participant (200-300 words), and biographical paragraphs and contact information for each participant. Individual paper proposals should include a brief abstract (200-300 words), a brief biographical paragraph for the presenter, and contact information.

Proposals must be submitted electronically via the Google form.

Deadline for Submissions: January 15, 2027

Please direct any questions to the Program Committee at: shfg.primary@gmail.com. (Please include "SHFG 2027 CFP Inquiry" in your email subject line).