36th Novembertagung on the History and Philosophy of Mathematics

36th Novembertagung on the History and Philosophy of Mathematics

‘(Perceived) Dichotomies in Mathematics: Opposites, Boundaries, and Tensions in the History and Philosophy of Mathematics’

— Call for Abstracts —

https://novembertagung.wordpress.com/novembertagung-2026/ 

The Novembertagung on the History and Philosophy of Mathematics is an international conference aimed at PhD students and early-career researchers in the history, philosophy of mathematics and related areas. This event offers an opportunity to share your work in progress in a collegial atmosphere and receive feedback.

The 36th edition of the Novembertagung will take place in Istanbul (Turkey) from November 3rd to 5th, 2026. It will be hosted by theInstitute for the History of Science at Istanbul Medeniyet University. The keynote speakers will be confirmed in the coming weeks. Please see the website for the most up-to-date information.

The conference is planned as an in-person event. For those who require financial assistance, please indicate so in your application as we may be able to provide some funding.

This year’s Novembertagung theme centres on Opposites, Boundaries and Tensions in the History and Philosophy of Mathematics. We will explore the ways in which mathematical belief, disagreement and conflict are both formed and conducted, and the ways that these tensions and disagreements shape both the content and perception of mathematical belief. Believing that mathematical disagreement is much more substantial than a question of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, we call for papers that explore how Opposites, Boundaries and Tensions are formed, expressed and entrenched throughout mathematical history.

Abstracts about the following, non exhaustive, list of topics will be welcomed:

• Abstract dichotomies: objects and concepts, theory and practice, informal and formal reasoning, etc.

• The formation of mathematical disciplines

• The resolution of mathematical disputes

• The roles of institutions in forming mathematical culture

• Historical and Philosophical approaches to the treatment of mathematical disputation

• How mathematical and ‘extra-mathematical’ thought interact in shaping mathematical and non-mathematical belief

• Historiographical work that explores how these concepts are treated in the literature. 

While the topic of the submission should ideally be related to the conference’s theme, most topics that fall under the broader heading of philosophy or history of mathematics, and that can fruitfully be connected to it will be welcomed as valuable additions to the conference. Early-Career and graduate students working on conflict theory in academia and society more general, or at the intersection of the History of Mathematics and science more generally for example, are also welcome to submit their work.

PhD students and early-career researchers are invited to submit abstracts.

Abstracts should be written in English and not exceed 300 words.

All submissions should be suitable for a 20-minute presentation, followed by a 10-minute discussion.

Abstracts should be sent as a PDF file prepared for blind review (do not put your name nor affiliation in the abstract, only in your email) to

[email protected] 

Please include your full name and affiliation in your email.

We expect to secure funding for accommodation expenses, or travel in exceptional cases, as mentioned earlier. Please, let us know in your application if you would like to be considered for funding.

The deadline for submissions is May 31st, 2026.

If you have any further questions, feel free to contact the organisers [email protected]