Over 4-6 June 2025, Lisbon Iscte-University Institute Lisbon (Iscte-IUL) hosted the Second Annual Conference of the Military History Consortium (MHC), of which Lancaster University is a founding and leading member.

In 2024, the Centre for War and Diplomacy (CWD) hosted the MHC Inaugural Conference at Lancaster, and has played a key role in the organisation of this year’s conference in Lisbon.

The MHC connects institutions, academics, and students engaged in the study of warfare and/or military organisations in the past, to address contemporary security challenges and inform related policy debates.

The consortium comprises the University of Amsterdam, the University of Calgary, Félix Houphouët-Boigny University Abidjan, Iscte-IUL, Lancaster University, Norwich University, Sapienza University Rome, Sciences Po Aix, and Stellenbosch University.

This second annual conference featured again research on military history from the ancient world to today, by delegates from across the MHC member institutions, as well as many other universities from all corners of the world.

The keynote lecture was delivered by Professor Richard Reid (University of Oxford), on ‘Isike’s Road: An African Revolution in Five Acts’.

Next year’s MHC conference will be held in Aix-en-Provence from 3-5 June 2025.

For more information on the consortium and its activities, visit the MHC website.