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CfP: Sixteenth Annual REFORC Conference on Early Modern Christianity The Sixteenth Annual REFORC Conference on Early Modern Christianity will be hosted by the Swiss Institute for Reformation History, June 7-9, 2027. Topic Plenary Papers: Defining, Demonstrating and Defending Identity and Alterity in the Reformation Era Identity in the early modern era was shaped by sundry factors – both, religious, social, and, increasingly, national – which also determined how people conceived of others as well as of themselves. Religious identity, however, was less a self-evident preconception than an issue-at-stake during the 16th century. 500 years ago, in the second half of the 1520s, religious and political parties had to re-conceptualise their “new” identity. The 16th Annual REFORC Congress on Early Modern Christianity will focus on the question of early modern Christian identity in the context of the Reformation. We envision to stimulate debate amongst diverse facets of how identity was shaped, perceived of, and presented in the Reformation era: * How did concepts of religious or social identity (or alterity) develop after the Reformation took hold in an area or amongst certain individuals or groups? * How were such identities positively established by (e.g.) the formulation of doctrinally normative texts and other integrative processes, and how were they defended by (e.g.) the means of confessional polemics and mechanisms of inclusion? * What role did pamphlets, disputations, letters, and other genres play in establishing, demonstrating, questioning, and defending one’s own identity? * How can conflicts and tensions between different parties be understood with regards to the question of identity (and/or alterity)? * How did religious identity (and/or alterity) translate into religious, social, and political practice – and vice versa? * How was (religious) identity staged by the means of liturgy, art, music, and architecture – and (how) did it manifest itself in the (urban or rural) space? In good REFORC tradition, this congress shall draw on the rich potential of interdisciplinary discourse and multidisciplinary, transnational approaches: Comparing different reformation identities, protagonists and geographical areas will, we hope, shed new light on the issues at stake. Short Paper Presentations The conference welcomes proposals for individual short papers as well as thematic sessions of two or three short papers. Presentations should be 20 minutes in length and followed by 10 minutes for discussion. In addition to the more specific topic mentioned above, the conference is open to proposals focusing on any other topics or disciplines related to Early Modern Christianity, ca. 1400-1700, such as philosophy, law, history, theology, etc., independent of the theme of the plenary papers. Panels and General Attendance In case of a thematic session (panel) all panelists must register separately, indicating the panel in the registration form. It is also possible to attend the conference without giving a paper. In that case, you can register for the conference via the registration form, indicating that you do not want to submit a short paper proposal. Call for Papers The call for papers is open. Short paper proposals of max. 2000 characters can be submitted until February 15, 2027, while registering via the registration form. The scholarly committee will inform you on the acceptance of your paper within ca. two weeks of receipt of your proposal. Language Preferred language for short papers is English, but papers in French and German are also welcome. Presenters who prefer to give their paper in French or German must provide the audience with an English summary of about 150-200 words. Organisiert von Swiss Institute for Reformation History CS 10. Juni 2026 Website der Veranstaltung Call for Papers

International Workshop: The 1967 Redefinition of the Second: Constructing Precision and Consensus in the Atomic Age IM 09. Juni 2026 Date: 28-29 January 2027 Location: University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland Organized by: Gianenrico Bernasconi, Ion Mihailescu, Christoph Affolderbach, Julien Gressot, Romain Jeanneret, and Gaetano Mileti In 1967, after two decades of experimentation and diplomatic negotiations over technological choices, the frequency of the hyperfine transition of the ground state of the cesium-133 atom was adopted as the basis for redefining the second. This shift from an astronomical to an atomic time standard was both a scientific breakthrough and a political achievement. It required the construction of consensus among metrological institutions, astronomical observatories, national laboratories, and international organizations. It also reflected a new configuration of science, politics, and industry in the postwar era, characterized by increased state support for strategic fields such as quantum electronics and by a growing commitment to international standardization. Amid Cold War tensions, atomic timekeeping emerged at the intersection of national interests and global cooperation, reshaping the governance of precision measurement. This workshop explores the process leading to the 1967 redefinition of the second by bringing together scholars from the history of science and technology, STS, metrology, and related fields. It aims to foster a collaborative discussion on the epistemic, institutional, political, and technological dynamics that shaped this transformation in timekeeping. The workshop is organized as part of the SNSF-funded project Atomic Clocks at the Neuchâtel Observatory: Time, Quantum Technologies, and Innovation (1948-2001), which investigates the development of atomic timekeeping in Switzerland and its global implications. We welcome contributions that explore the scientific, institutional, political, and material dimensions of the 1967 redefinition of the second. Submissions may engage with the following themes or related topics: International Institutions and Global Contexts * The role of metrological bodies such as the Consultative Committee for the Definition of the Second (CCDS), the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM), the International Committee for Weights and Measures (CIPM), the General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM), and the International Time Bureau (BIH) in establishing consensus. * The global history of the 1967 redefinition in the context of postwar international cooperation and Cold War politics. Precedents and Innovations in Measurement Standards * The relationship between the redefinition of the second and earlier standardization efforts, such as the redefinition of the meter in 1960, highlighting continuities and shifts in procedures, criteria, and institutional strategies. * Lessons drawn by historical actors from earlier metrological debates, and their impact on the consensus-making process. Criteria for Choosing a Standard in the 1960s * The technical and political factors influencing the selection of an element or system for time standardization, including cesium, thallium, rubidium, hydrogen, and ammonia, as well as the evaluation of different atomic timekeeping methods, such as masers, atomic beams, and gas cells. * The balance of key criteria shaping the final choice of standard, including stability, accuracy, reproducibility, portability, and dissemination. Laboratories, Observatories, and National Contexts * The contributions of key laboratories, observatories, and national metrology institutes in testing, refining, and advocating for particular standards or technologies. * Collaboration between institutions, including the transfer of technologies and skills, and efforts to coordinate and compare atomic clocks and atomic time scales. Material Culture of Atomic Clocks * The experimental practices, technical gestures, and protocols adopted by scientists and engineers in the development of atomic clocks, and their role in reshaping metrological institutions within the postwar landscape of international standardization. * The design and manufacturing processes of atomic clocks, and the impact of this material culture on theoretical and experimental models. Science, State, and Industry * The role of collaborations between scientists, governments, and private industry in the development of atomic clocks. * The contribution of private companies such as Atomichron and Hewlett-Packard to the commercialization and diffusion of atomic clocks, and their impact on the adoption of the cesium-133 standard. * The influence of military needs, navigation, and telecommunications in creating opportunities and shaping incentives that affected the redefinition of the second. Impact and Legacy * The immediate and long-term consequences of the 1967 redefinition for fields such as physics, astronomy, telecommunications, and navigation. * The impact of the adoption of cesium on the development of other frequency standards, its legacy in contemporary metrology, and its role in ongoing debates about future time standards. Narratives and Imaginaries of the Atomic Age * The incorporation of atomic clocks into the broader “peaceful atom” narrative promoted during the early Cold War. * The influence of atomic clock development and promotion on public and institutional perceptions of atomic technologies, as well as their symbolic power in shaping contemporary understandings of precision and control. Submission details Abstracts in English or French of no more than 500 words should be sent to [email protected] by 1 September 2026. Submissions from early career researchers, including graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, are warmly welcome. Accommodation and meals will be covered for participants. Travel grants will also be available, within the limits of the workshop budget. Papers presented at the workshop will be considered for publication in an edited volume. Selected participants will be asked to submit their contributions for publication by September 2027. Please address any further inquiries to [email protected]. Organisiert von Institut d'histoire & Laboratoire Temps-Fréquence, University of Neuchâtel Sprachen der Veranstaltung Englisch Website der Veranstaltung https://www.unine.ch/physique/en/snf-project-atomic-clocks-at-the-neuchatel-obs… Anhang CFP - The 1967 Redefinition of the Second Workshop.pdf University of Neuchâtel Neuchâtel Neuchâtel [email protected]

Murten, ausgeschlachtet. Ein Sieg wird in Szene gesetzt Murten, 22. Juni 1476: Die Eidgenossen und ihre Verbündeten besiegen die Truppen des burgundischen Herzogs Karl des Kühnen. Rund 400 Jahre später präsentiert die Zürcher Panoramagesellschaft das Panorama der Schlacht bei Murten. 100 Meter lang und 10 Meter hoch, zieht es ein Massenpublikum in seinen Bann. An der Landesausstellung Expo.02 wird das Werk 2002 in einem Kubus auf dem Murtensee neu inszeniert. Nach über zwanzig Jahren im Verborgenen ist das Panorama nun in neuer Form im Museum zu entdecken. Die Ausstellung bietet einen neuen Blick auf die Schlacht bei Murten. Ein Ereignis, das tief im kollektiven Gedächtnis von Bern und der Schweiz verankert ist. Die Ausstellung zeigt, wie historische Begebenheiten zu mitreissenden Inszenierungen verdichtet werden, die mehr über die Zeit ihrer Entstehung als über die Schlachten selbst erzählen — und fragt nach den Kräften, die solche Darstellungen befürworten, antreiben und verbreiten. Wer erzählt Geschichte, zu welchem Zweck, und wem nützt die Inszenierung von Krieg? Organisiert von Berrnisches Historisches Museum CS 10. Juni 2026 Berrnisches Historisches Museum Helvetiaplatz 5 3005 Bern Website der Veranstaltung Programm Image for Content