Call for papers for Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations conference

Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations conference at Duke University,

October 8-9, 2026

The Center for the History of Political Economy at Duke University will host a conference on October 8-9, 2026, to mark the 250th anniversary of the publication of Adam Smith’s An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.

The conference will begin with a public lecture on Thursday, October 8 by Professor Craig Smith of the University of Glasgow, followed by a reception and then dinner for the conference participants.

The conference proper will be held on Friday, October 9. We anticipate 5 or 6 paper presentations, each followed by general discussion. There will be a lunch talk by Professor Ryan Hanley of Boston College, and a closing dinner for the participants.

Papers should engage in some way with Smith’s Wealth of Nations. We welcome papers from scholars in the history of economics and related fields, such as political theory, intellectual history, and literary studies. We especially encourage early career scholars, including PhD students, to apply.

Applicants should send in detailed paper proposals by May 1, 2026, to chope@econ.duke.edu, with the subject line "Wealth of Nations."  Decisions about who will be invited to attend will be made shortly thereafter. Full papers will be due September 1, 2026. 

Lodging and meals will be provided by Duke, and travel expenses will be reimbursed.