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LESSONS FROM THE PAST

UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

23-24 March 2026

Digging into the past to build a sustainable future

Humanity faces unprecedented challenges, or does it?

People who study the past have a unique and broad perspective on humanity. With the challenges of the modern world, this deep understanding has never been more important in shaping our attitudes and responses.

The University of Liverpool department for Archaeology, Classics, and Egyptology (ACE), in partnership with the Interdisciplinary Centre for Sustainability Research (ICSR) and Victoria Gallery and Museum, invite abstract and poster submissions for the hybrid conference “Lessons from the Past: UN Sustainability Goals” to be held on the 23rd and the 24th March, 2026.

Talks must result in a tangible recommendation to a specified body (e.g. a non-profit institution, local council, University, Government department, or even the United Nations). Presentations should explain how knowledge of the past supports the recommendation. Talks will be selected based on the feasibility of their recommendation and strength of linkage between the proposal made and the evidence used to support it. Poster submissions do not require a recommendation but should include relevant information linking knowledge of the past with a specific UN sustainability goal.

We are keen to hear from a broad range of speakers and welcome submissions from Archaeologists, Evolutionary anthropologists, Historians, Classicists, Egyptologists, and anyone else who studies humans in the past. Submitted abstracts will be blind reviewed.

This event is generously funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, Northwest Consortium Doctoral Training Partnership, through their Targeted Funding programme.

What are the UN Sustainable Development Goals?

 

A set of 17 global objectives adopted in 2015 to eradicate poverty, protect the planet, and ensure future sustainability. They span social, economic, and environmental targets such as quality education and gender equality as well as climate action and responsible consumption.

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If you have a questions, please contact the conference organising committee.