Meeting that seeks to open up reflection on a variety of subjects and themes related to the history of Portuguese migration during the interwar period. Deadline: 30 April 2026

Between wars and peace:

New Perspectives and Challenges of Portuguese Migration (1914-1945)

This event aims to bring together scholars working on the history of Portuguese migration during the interwar period. Its objective is to create a space for dialogue and scientific debate based on a multidirectional and multi-geographical perspective, in order to highlight the contributions and new research approaches toward which the scholarly community has more recently turned.

The nineteenth century and the period of the Trente Glorieuses have been privileged in studies of Portuguese migration. Whether focusing on migration to transatlantic or European countries, some works have addressed the interwar period; however, these remain fragmentary and, in some cases, outdated. It is therefore necessary to gain a better understanding of the characteristics of this migration, its stakes, and its impacts, within a national and international political context marked by profound change.

The interwar period constitutes a key moment in the history of Portuguese migration. It is characterised by a renewal and intensification of international migratory movements in the aftermath of the First World War; by the strong attraction exerted on migrant workers by transatlantic countries such as the United States or Brazil; but also by the opening of new destinations, such as France, which from the 1960s onward would become the main country of settlement for Portuguese migrants. This period also corresponds to a moment when measures aimed at strengthening control over migrants’ entry and presence were implemented, particularly in the context of the 1929 economic crisis and the Great Depression.

The event thus seeks to open up reflection on a variety of subjects and themes related to the history of Portuguese migration, mobilizing both multidisciplinary approaches and perspectives that make it possible to understand and critically examine this phenomenon. It is addressed to researchers working on Portuguese migration in both transatlantic and European contexts

Call for papers

The topics that may be addressed include:

• World Wars and Portuguese migration
• Exile, opposition, and resistance
• Reception and support networks
• Political and trade-union engagement
• Irregular emigration
• Migration, migrants, and police and administrative management
• Emigration and immigration policies
• Policies and practices of exclusion
• Migrant agency
• Community structures
• Health and Portuguese migration
• Migration, voluntary and forced returns
• Migration and the press
• Memory of Portuguese migration
• Any other topic deemed to be of scientific interest for understanding the history of Portuguese migration during the interwar period.

Submission of proposals

Paper proposals should include an abstract (up to 250 words), a title, the author’s name, institutional affiliation, and a short biographical note (up to 200 words). Proposals in French, English, and Portuguese are accepted.

Proposals should be sent to the email address histmigport@gmail.com by 30 April 2026.

>> Download the call for papers (PFD) <<

Organisation

Cristina Clímaco (Université Paris 8 / LER)
Yvette dos Santos (IHC — NOVA FCSH / IN2PAST)

Scientific Committee

Alberto Pena Rodriguez (Universidad de Vigo)
Armelle Enders (Université Paris 8 / IFG Lab)
Delphine Diaz (Université de Reims / CERHIC / IUF)
Érica Sarmiento (Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro)
Heloisa Paulo (University of Coimbra)
Irene dos Santos (CNRS / URMIS)
Marcelo Borges (Dickinson College, Carlisle)
Marie-Christine Volovitch Tavares (CERMI)
Philippe Rygiel (ENS Lyon / INRIA)
Sónia Ferreira (CRIA — NOVA FCSH / IN2PAST)
Sylvie Aprile (ISP)
Victor Pereira (IHC — NOVA FCSH / IN2PAST)