The International Commission for the History and Theory of Historiography (ICHTH) is an international non-profit organization affiliated with the International Committee of Historical Sciences (ICHS). Established in 1980, the Commission is composed of historians, theorists of history and other specialists in related fields, who work together on a global scale to promote research and the exchange of ideas in two core areas: the history of historiography and the philosophy of historiography. Among other activities, it regularly organizes conferences and workshops, promotes publications and awards prizes for books and doctoral theses.[1]
Originally called the International Commission for the History of Historiography, it was founded in 1980 during the 15th International Congress of Historical Sciences in Bucharest.[2] It changed to its present name in 1995, during the 18th International Congress of Historical Sciences in Montreal, to better reflect its two main fields of interest: the history of historiography and the theory of historiography.[3]
Antoon de Baets, current President of the ICHTH
It is currently headed by Antoon De Baets (2022-2027), prof. em. of History, Ethics and Human Rights at the University of Groningen.
Mission
The Commission seeks to promote the study of the history and theory of historiography, as well as the philosophy of history, historical methodology and historical culture. It encourages debates and exchanges between different approaches to these subjects, and emphasizes non-discrimination on the basis of nationality, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, political or other opinion, or sexual orientation in its activities or operations. In particular, the Commission seeks to avoid regional and ethnocentric assumptions, in order to reflect the diversity of perspectives in the field.[4] Its work has been described as providing a key institutional platform for various kinds of ‘cross-fertilisation between historical and philosophical perspectives.’[5]
Activities
The Commission coordinates an international network of researchers with the aim of establishing and strengthen partnerships with international and national organizations and bodies that promote discussion of the themes contained in the Commission’s mission. It does so through various activities: organizing regular international conferences and symposia; maintaining partnerships with all journals, blogs, and networks in its core areas; sponsoring the publication of reference works; awarding prizes to significant recent contributions to the field; and maintaining a website providing information on its activities and publications.[6]
Conferences
Since its foundation, the ICHTH has organized or co-sponsored conferences and workshops around the world. Of particular relevance have been the panels on history and theory of historiography it has organized as part of the International Congress of Historical Sciences, organized by the ICHS.[7] The Commission was present at the ICHS Congresses of Bucharest (1980), Stuttgart (1985), Madrid (1990), Montreal (1995), Oslo (2000), Sydney (2005), Amsterdam (2010), Jinan (2015), and Poznań (2022).[8] It currently prepares its presence at the ICHS Centennial Conference in Leipzig (2026).
Journal
The journal Storia della Storiografia was established in 1982 as a journal of the ICHTH and published in four languages. Storia was initially edited by Bianca Valota Cavallotti, and subsequently by Edoardo Tortarolo and Guido Abbattista in collaboration with Georg Iggers. The first text published by the journal was “Pour une histoire de l’historiographie” (“For a History of Historiography”), a methodological manifesto written by the Commission’s first President Charles-Olivier Carbonell, which outlined the relevance and potential of the history of historiography as a field of study.[9] Over the decades, the journal has increasingly followed an independent course, sometimes in close collaboration with ICHTH (as is the case since 2022), sometimes at some distance.[10]
The Commission has sponsored the publication of Great Historians from Antiquity to 1800: An International Dictionary (Greenwood Press, 1989) and Great Historians of the Modern Age: An International Dictionary (Greenwood Press, 1991) edited by Lucian Boia, the Commission’s first secretary-general.[12][13] Further, many Commission members have contributed to some of the most important collective reference works or book series in the field such as Elements in Historical Theory and Practice (Cambridge University Press, 2022–),[14]Bloomsbury History: Theory and Method (Bloomsbury Publishing, 2021–),[15]The Politics of Historical Thinking (De Gruyter, 2019–),[16]Oxford History of Historical Writing, 5 vol. (Oxford University Press,[17] 2011–2015), and Making Sense of History (Berghahn Books, 2002–).[18]
Awards
Since 2013, the Commission has instituted several awards to recognize recent works that made a significant contribution to the fields promoted in its mission. These include the prize for best doctoral thesis, best book, and best first book. In 2022, it partnered with the International Network for the Theory of History (INTH) to organize a joint award.[19]
Homo Ahistoricus: Disavowal of History in Colonial South Asian Writing[26]
Website
The Commission has maintained a website since 2007. Its newest version was created in 2022. It includes news from the Commission and its partners, information about its past and future meetings, prizes, history, constitution and board. It also maintains an archive and a database of relevant links. Twice a year, the Commission shares a newsletter with its members.[27]
Structure
Constitution
The Commission is grounded in a constitution that structures its activities and organization. It consists of 11 articles: the Commission’s definition; its objectives; activities; non-discrimination clause; resources; conditions for membership; membership fees; its organs; conditions for the convening of the general assembly; its board; and the conditions for the modification of itsconstitution; and the conditions for its dissolution. On 22 February 2024, the Board decided that the text for an updated constitution would be put to a vote at the next General Assembly.[28]
Board
The board of the Commission consists of four executive committee members, two prize coordinators, and seven members.[29] The 2022–2027 board looks as follows:
Erdmann, Karl Dietrich (June 2005). Toward a Global Community of Historians: The International Historical Congresses and the International Committee of Historical Sciences, 1898–2000. Berghahn Books. ISBN978-1-57181-434-0.
Iggers, Georg (April 2019). "The Historian as an Engaged Intellectual: Historical Writing and Social Criticism – A Personal Retrospective". In Berger, Stefan (ed.). The Engaged Historian: Perspectives on the Intersections of Politics, Activism and the Historical Profession. Berghahn Books. pp.277–299. ISBN978-1-78920-199-4.
Paul, Herman (25 October 2020). "History and Philosophy of History (HPH): A Call for Cooperation". In Kuukkanen, Jouni-Matti (ed.). Philosophy of History: Twenty-First-Century Perspectives. Bloomsbury Collections. pp.165–179. ISBN978-1-35-011184-4.
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