Lessons from the past: UN Sustainability Goals

Digging into the past to build a sustainable future.

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 23 and 24 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 the strength of the 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.

For more information, please contact Chris Scott, Conference organiser: Christopher.scott@liverpool.ac.uk