Research in Progress Meeting 2026
Call for Papers
Hosted at:
Organised by:
Bruna Pelegrín-Garcia
Sarah Grabowski
Mélissa Morel
The Historical Metallurgy Society invites submissions for its annual Research in Progress Meeting, to be held on 27 November 2026 in a hybrid format. The meeting will take place at the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, University of Cambridge, with online participation also available for those unable to attend in person.
This year, we have chosen a hybrid format to combine the flexibility and accessibility of remote participation with the valuable opportunities for face-to-face discussion, collaboration, and networking that are central to our community. While online attendance will remain fully available for those unable to travel, we warmly encourage participants to join us in Cambridge if possible.
The Research in Progress Meeting provides a friendly forum for presenting ongoing research in historical and archaeological metallurgy. We welcome papers on any aspect of the production, use, and significance of metals in the past, including approaches from archaeological science, typological studies, and theoretical perspectives. Topics may include (but are not limited to):
- Mining and ore procurement strategies
- Smelting practices and technologies
- Smithing techniques, refining, alloying, and metalworking processes
- Use, reuse, recycling, repair, and deposition of metal objects
- Experimental approaches to metallurgical practices
- Production organisation, technological traditions, innovations, and cross-craft interactions
- Trade, exchange, provenance, and circulation of metal stock and objects
- Social, economic, and cultural significance of metals
- Conservation and heritage science of metal artefacts
- Fieldwork and recovery techniques for metal artefacts and metallurgical remains
We warmly encourage submissions from diverse chronological and geographical contexts, and especially welcome contributions from students, early career researchers, and those working outside academia. Contributors are encouraged to submit work in progress as well as completed research.
Submission and registration
Abstracts (up to 200 words) can be submitted until Friday, 25 September 2026 via the submission form. Please note that there won’t be an extension of the submission deadline.
A registration form for all participants, with payment details for in-person attendance, will follow shortly.
Format of contributions
- Full presentations (in person or online): 15 minutes + 5 min for questions
- Poster presentations (in person or online): 5 minutes flash talk
For participants attending in person, posters will also be displayed in printed format at the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research.
Fees
A participation fee of £20 will be charged to in-person participants to cover the cost of lunch and refreshments provided during the coffee breaks. If the participation fee would present a financial barrier, please get in touch. We are committed to making the congress as accessible as possible and will consider requests for a fee waiver on a case-by-case basis.
The programme and any updates will be announced here and circulated by email. Please contact the organising committee (hms.rip2026@outlook.com) for any questions and general inquiries.
We look forward to receiving your contributions and welcoming you to the HMS Research in Progress Meeting 2026!
How to get to the venue
The Historical Metallurgy Society’s Research in Progress Meeting 2026 will take place at the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, University of Cambridge, on the Downing Site in central Cambridge.
Venue address
McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research
Courtyard Building, Downing Street
Cambridge CB2 3ER
United Kingdom
Find it on: GoogleMaps | OpenstreetMap
By Air
The nearest airport is London Stansted Airport, which has direct rail connections to Cambridge. Alternative airports include London Heathrow, London Gatwick, and London Luton. Cambridge can be reached from these airports by a combination of coach and rail services.
By Train
Cambridge Railway Station has frequent connections to London and other major UK cities. From the railway station, the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research can be reached by:
- Bus U (Universal, U1 or U2) – from Cambridge Railway Station to Pembroke Street, followed by a short walk to the Downing Site.
- Buses 1, 3 and 7 also provide connections towards the city centre. For buses 1 and 3, alight at St Andrew’s Street, followed by a 3-minute walk to the Downing Site. For bus 7, alight at Emmanuel Street, followed by a 5-minute walk to the Downing Site.
The journey by bus takes approximately 12 minutes, while walking from the station takes approximately 20 minutes.
By Coach
Cambridge is well connected by coach to London, London airports, and other cities across the UK. National Express coaches arrive at Cambridge Parkside, located close to the city centre.
From Parkside, the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research is approximately a 10-minute walk. Alternatively, local buses and taxis are available nearby.
Some local and regional bus services arrive at Drummer Street Bus Station, in the city centre. From Drummer Street, the Downing Site is approximately a 6-minute walk.
By Car
Parking in central Cambridge is limited, and there is no general visitor parking at the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research. Visitors travelling by car are encouraged to use one of Cambridge’s five Park & Ride sites and continue into the city centre by bus.
Alternatively, several public car parks are available in and around the city centre. The Grand Arcade Car Park, on Corn Exchange Street, is the closest public car park to the McDonald Institute and is just a short walk from the Downing Site.
Please allow additional time for parking and travelling to the venue, particularly during busy periods.
Finding the Venue
Enter the Downing Site via the main entrance on Downing Street (the triple arches). The McDonald Institute is the square building in the centre of the courtyard (Show location on university map).
Code of conduct
All participants at the Research in Progress Meetings agree to conduct themselves in a professional and appropriate manner and to ensure that all can enjoy a harassment-free event. The workshop organisers are dedicated to providing an inclusive, respectful, safe, friendly, and welcoming online meeting for all participants.
We do not tolerate disruptive or disrespectful behaviour, personal messages, images, or interactions by any participant, in any form, at any aspect of the program including business and social activities, regardless of location.
Photography, video, recording or screen-captures of session content or presentations in any format are prohibited unless this right is granted on the slides of the respective presentation. We encourage everyone to assist in creating a welcoming and safe environment.
If a participant engages in harassing behaviour, the event organisers may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender and/or expulsion from the event. If you are being harassed, if you notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact one of the organisers immediately.
We value your attendance and want the Research in Progress Meeting 2026 to be a safe place for everybody.
Contact
Please contact the organisers for any inquiries about the meeting via hms.rip2026@outlook.com.