In line with the New Diplomatic History, this panel welcomes papers examining diplomatic actors of the Early Modern Age who have so far been little studied, such as informants, representatives, agents and procurators. Papers could focus on actors representing various centers of power, such as cities, individuals, corporations and institutions, or analyze networks of informants, representatives and contacts in the service of diplomatic activities.

CfP for a pannel session as part of the RSA (Renaissance Society of America) San Francisco Conference (February 19–21, 2026)

Argument

The New Diplomatic History has significantly renewed international relations studies by approaching diplomacy primarily from the perspective of networks (i.e. networks of people, information, and power) and by paying attention to the wide range of agents in international relations (state and non-state actors), as well as the multiplicity of centers and instances of power represented.In line with the New Diplomatic History, this panel welcomes papers examining diplomatic actors of the Early Modern Age who have so far been little studied, such as informants, representatives, agents and procurators. Papers could focus on actors representing various centers of power, such as cities, individuals, corporations and institutions, or analyze networks of informants, representatives and contacts in the service of diplomatic activities.

Submission guidelines

Please submit:

- paper title (15-word maximum)
- paper abstract (200-word maximum)
- CV (.pdf or .doc upload)
- PhD or other terminal degree completion year (past or expected)
- full name, current affiliation, and email address.

Send proposal to Mathilde Albisson (mathilde.albisson@uclouvain.be)

by July 15. 

For further information, please visit the RSA website: https://www.rsa.org/page/RSASF2026

Conference Program Committee, RSA San Francisco 2026

• Angelica Duran (Chair) Purdue University
• Tom Conley Harvard University
• Esteban Crespo Boston University
• Greti Dinkova-Bruun University of Toronto
• Elizabeth “Liz” Elmi Williams College
• Joel Harrington Vanderbilt University
• Adam Harris Levine Art Gallery of Ontario / Columbia University
• Gabriel Lonsberry Jacksonville State University
• Lyle Massey University of California, Irvine
• Charles-Louis Morand Métivier University of Vermont
• Maria Teresa “Terry” Pendergast The College of Wooster
• Catherine Saucier Arizona State University
• Sonia Velázquez Indiana University
• Anna Wainwright University of New Hampshire