Melbourne Historical Journal

Call for Papers: Open Theme- Melbourne Historical Journal Volume 49

Published since 1961, Melbourne Historical Journal (MHJ, ISSN: 0076-6232) is a refereed journal for the publication of Australian, Aotearoa/New Zealand and Pacific graduate work in history. The global conjunctures and profound epistemic shifts of recent years have challenged researchers to transcend conventional paradigms and interrogate the deep structures of human experience. In response to this fluid intellectual landscape, the MHJ decides to depart from a singular, prescriptive theme for Volume 49. Instead, we inaugurate an open, non-thematic forum – a deliberate space for intellectual serendipity, theoretical pluralism, and unbound critical inquiry.
By dissolving traditional thematic boundaries, the MHJ aims to create an open platform that welcomes a diverse range of historical methodologies, geographical focuses, and temporal periods, encouraging meaningful dialogue across different fields of study. We welcome submissions that interrogate the unspoken configurations of the past, challenge conventional historical narratives, or introduce fresh conceptual frameworks – all without the constraint of fitting into a specific theme.
The MHJ invites papers for its next issue on open themes. We encourage rigorous academic papers across all historical eras and fields. Possible areas of engagement include, but are not limited to:
● The politics of the archive: silencing, reclamation, and counter-narratives
● Critical reflections on archival methodologies and epistemological friction
● Historiographical and theoretical innovations in historical writing
● Alternative postcolonial, decolonial, and Indigenous Studies approaches to the past
● Collective memory, public commemorations, and the popular interpretation of history
● Gender, sexuality, and the shaping of historical identities and roles
● Capital, coloniality, and labour relations in historical perspective
● Material culture, environmental histories, and more-than-human temporalities
● Cross-border mobility and temporal shifts
● Marginalised archives, memory and oral histories
The MHJ invites submissions from MA, PhD and Early Career Researchers in historical disciplines, including the history of science, heritage, classics, and archaeology. Article manuscripts must be no more than 8,000 words including footnotes. Book review manuscripts must be no more than 1,000 words. In addition to traditional scholarly articles, we encourage submissions that explore novel methods of presenting historical research. These could include reflective pieces, thematic or book review essays, interviews or conversations, primary source translations and commentaries, creative responses, and contributions that incorporate visual art.
The MHJ also accepts book reviews that are consistent with the scope of the journal. We are able to source review copies of books from publishers for our authors. Publishers or editors requesting a book review should contact [email protected] by 1st August 2026.

If you are interested in contributing to Volume 49, please contact us at [email protected]. The deadline for paper submissions is 30th September 2026.
Please visit the website for submission instructions, style guide, and book review guidelines. https://www.mhj.net.au/submit/

Collective members wanted | Melbourne Historical Journal

Dear Graduate Researchers at the University of Melbourne,

Published since 1961, Melbourne Historical Journal (MHJ) is a refereed journal for the publication of graduate students' and Early Career Researchers' work in history. It is open to new approaches and aims to present original work to a wide and responsive global readership. The journal’s home is in the History Program at the University of Melbourne, but we publish articles from authors all over the world crossing a broad geographical and temporal scope.

Each year, an MJH Collective is formed, with members acting as the editorial team for the journal. Being part of the collective is excellent professional development and collegial experience for all graduate researchers to gain experience in shepherding peer-reviewed articles through completion and producing a high-quality publication.

A variety of roles are available within our Collective, including Secretary, Treasurer, Social Media Manager, Book Reviews Coordinator, Production Coordinator, and Digital Assets Coordinator, among others. Open to all graduate researchers at the University of Melbourne using historical methods: whether you are just starting your degree or are further along in your research, and regardless of your home program, we invite you to connect with fellow historians and develop professional publishing skills with our journal.

We will be convening the first meeting of the 2026 MHJ Editorial Collective in late May, at which officers will be chosen, a theme for the 2027 issue developed and a call for papers drafted.

This notice is now calling for Expressions of Interest (EOI) to join the 2026 Collective. To apply, please submit a two-page CV, a brief paragraph outlining your motivation for joining and relevant strengths for specific roles, and your top three role preferences to [email protected] by 15 May 2026.

For further information about MHJ, head to our website: www.mhj.net.au. To express interest or if you have any questions about what it involves or to express interest, please email us at [email protected].

We look forward to meeting you.

MHJ: Extended Deadline For Papers

We are pleased to announce that the due date for the upcoming MJH’s volume has been extended to the 6th of October. Please send us your paper to [email protected] before this date to be considered for publication. We are looking forward to hearing from you!

Follow the link for details on our upcoming volume:

Melbourne Historical Journal | Call for Papers on the theme of ‘Renewal’MHJ Volume 49 Posted July 17, 2024 by mhj under Call For Papers Global events over the past five years have disrupted routines and prompted individuals and communities to rethink and reimagine their lives. This has led to various acts of renewal and reinvention, causing people to re-evaluate how they see their pa...

Reminder: Call for Papers Closing Soon – MJH

We are writing to remind you that the call for papers for Volume 49 ‘Renewal’ of Melbourne Historical Journal will be closed on September 15 2024.

Send us your paper at [email protected] before the deadline to be considered for publication. We are looking forward to receiving your submissions!

Follow the link for details on our forthcoming volume:

Melbourne Historical Journal | Call for Papers on the theme of ‘Renewal’MHJ Volume 49 Posted July 17, 2024 by mhj under Call For Papers Global events over the past five years have disrupted routines and prompted individuals and communities to rethink and reimagine their lives. This has led to various acts of renewal and reinvention, causing people to re-evaluate how they see their pa...

CALL FOR PAPERS: Melbourne Historical Journal seeking papers for its next Volume 49 on the theme of ‘Renewal’.

Global events over the past five years have disrupted routines and prompted individuals and communities to rethink and reimagine their lives. This has led to various acts of renewal and reinvention, causing people to re-evaluate how they see their past and their hopes for the future.

The MHJ invites papers from postgraduate and early career scholars that critically engage with the concept of renewal in its various forms.

If you are interested in contributing to Volume 49, please contact us at [email protected]. The deadline for paper submissions is 15th September 2024.

Follow the link for details on our forthcoming volume:

Melbourne Historical Journal | Call for Papers on the theme of ‘Renewal’MHJ Volume 49 Posted July 17, 2024 by mhj under Call For Papers Global events over the past five years have disrupted routines and prompted individuals and communities to rethink and reimagine their lives. This has led to various acts of renewal and reinvention, causing people to re-evaluate how they see their pa...

We're ready for you! Are you a current UniMelb postgrad in History or History & Philosophy of Science? We're calling for a Collective for the 2024 MHJ.

Published since 1961, Melbourne Historical Journal (MHJ) is a refereed journal for the publication of graduate and ECR work in history. It is open to new approaches and aims to present original work to a wide and responsive global readership. The journal’s home is in the History Program at the University of Melbourne, but we publish articles from authors all over the world crossing a broad geographical and temporal scope.

Each year, an MJH Collective is formed, with members acting as the editorial team for the journal. Being part of the collective is an excellent professional development and collegial experience for all postgraduates to gain experience in shepherding peer-reviewed articles through to completion and producing a high-quality publication.

Various roles are available for people to take on, including Secretary, Treasurer, Social Media Manager, Production Coordinator, Digital Assets Coordinator and more. If you’re a new student, or have been with us for years, this is a great opportunity to become involved with peers and learn the ropes on a professional journal.

We will be convening the first meeting of the 2024 MHJ Collective in mid- to late June, at which officers will be chosen, a theme for the 2024 issue developed and a call for papers drafted. An email with a list of offices vacant and details of the first meeting will be sent out very soon.

This notice is a call for expressions of interest to be part of the 2024 collective. Usually comprising students from the History Program, this year we also extend the invitation to those from History & Philosophy of Science. We would consider applications by those from other disciplines in SHAPS if there was interest.

For further information about MHJ, head to our website: www.mhj.net.au. To express interest or if you have any questions about what it involves or to express interest, please email us at the address provided there.

We look forward to meeting you.

Ines Jahudka and Nicole Davis for MHJ

Have you missed us? After a hiatus, MHJ is back for 2024. We're calling for Collective Members for Vol 49 very soon. We welcome UniMelb History or History & Philosophy of Science postgrads or ECRs to the team. If you're interested in contributing to the production of a high quality peer-reviewed reviewed journal, please DM us.

Meanwhile, see our slowly-being-updated website https://www.mhj.net.au/ and the previous issue of the journal on our Open Journal system: https://journal.mhj.net.au/index.php/editions/issue/view/30

Some news for our followers! MHJ has been in hiatus for a little bit but we are back very soon! Keep an eye on this space for updates!

NEW CFP: Melbourne Historical Journal seeking papers for its 2021 edition Vol. 48. The MHJ strongly encourages submissions from postgraduate and early career researchers.
The theme is: “(Dis)junctures”
Follow link for details on our forthcoming volume:

Melbourne Historical Journal | Vol 48 Call For Papers Posted November 8, 2020 by mhj under Call For Papers, Uncategorized The MHJ is calling for papers for its latest edition: “(Dis)junctures” Volume 48 (2021) Snow-covered Antarctic landscapeState Library of Victoria (http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/75767) In 2020, we have become more acutely aw...

SUBMISSIONS CLOSED: article submissions for Vol. 47: Narratives and Power are now closed! However, we are still accepting alternative format submissions on a rolling basis, so please get in touch with any ideas or questions at [email protected]!