The HNR community is pleased to share the Call for Application for the Barcelona Past Networks Summer School 2026, which will take place in the city of Barcelona (Spain) on 16-19 June 2026.

At a glance

• Annual 4-day summer school in Barcelona 16-19 June 2026
• Teaching the theory and practice of network research
• For those studying the human past (historians, archaeologists, classicists, …)
• No prior computational skills required, but willingness to learn

Details

Network approaches are commonly used in diverse studies of the human past. For example, analyzing letter correspondence in 16th century England, mapping the similarity of material culture in the prehispanic US Southwest, reconstructing ancient Roman family ties as revealed through funerary inscriptions, and much more. Such research is supported by thriving international communities, conference series, a journal, and textbooks. But dedicated training in the theory and practice of network research is missing in most history and archaeology degree programmes.

The Barcelona Past Networks Summer School addresses this educational gap. It provides an annually recurring opportunity to learn what network research is, how it can be usefully and critically applied to the study of the human past, through hands-on practicals and critical lectures. The content is curated and delivered by leading experts in the field, and the summer school is a joint effort of the main international scholarly communities in past networks research. The summer school is an introduction to network research developed for those establishing or developing their studies and research on the human past (archaeologists, historians, classicists, …).

If you aim to perform network research but your own institutional or educational context cannot support you in this specialism, then this summer school is perfect for you. No prior mathematical, computational or coding experience is needed, but a willingness to work with and learn computational and coding approaches is necessary, given the strong practical focus of the summer school.

You can apply to participate by completing the below form. Places are limited, and will be offered following a review of all applications after the 26 January 2026 deadline. If you have been offered a place, then your offer will be conditional on paying the 75 EUR lunch fee.

Complete the application form.

Important Dates

• Application deadline: 26 January 2026
• Conditional offer of place in summer school: 11 February 2026
• Registration fee payment deadline: 4 March 2026
• Summer school dates: 16-19 June 2026

Application process

The application form includes a 400-word motivational statement that should clearly describe why you want to attend the BPNSS, and how you expect to benefit from the experience. No CV or other documentation is required. The submitted application forms will be reviewed by the organizing committee, who will offer places and create a waiting list.

For further information, please refer to the summer school website.

Made possible thanks to

• The Past Social Networks Project
• The Carlsberg Foundation’s Young Researcher Fellowship (CF21-0382)
• The Connected Past
• The Historical Network Research community
• The Luxembourg Centre for Contemporary and Digital History (C²DH)
• Universitat de Barcelona Institute of Complex Systems (UBICS)
• Université de Lausanne
• Aarhus University
• Leibniz-Institut für Europäische Geschichte (IEG)
• Heuristica