About SOG18

Founded in 2013, SOG18 emerged from many years of academic engagement with the 18th century in research and teaching, as well as from the 13th International Congress for 18th Century Studies held at the University of Graz in 2011. 

Today, the society has around 50 members from 12 countries (Austria, Germany, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia, Croatia, Italy, Slovenia, Turkey, Hungary and Australia) and has been a member of the International Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies (ISECS) / Société internationale d'étude du dix-huitième siècle (SIEDS).

Priorities and objectives

SOG18 is dedicated to key cultural, political and social phenomena of the "long" 18th century in south-eastern Europe – through research, interpretation and communication to various audiences.

The focus is on the intra-regional dynamics of an area comprising the eastern provinces of the Habsburg Monarchy, the European provinces of the Ottoman Empire and the Venetian possessions along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. At the same time, we look at its interconnections with Central and Eastern Europe, the Orient and the Mediterranean region.

SOG18 sees itself as a platform for interdisciplinary and interregional research. It specifically promotes young academics and makes its findings accessible beyond the academic context. Its formats range from research projects, conferences and workshops to publications, digital offerings and exhibitions.