Looking at the past to understand the future
SHOC (Social History of Capitalism) is one of the recognized Large Research Groups of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Our core objective is to study the social history of capitalism from a bottom-up point of view. We conceptualize capitalism as a social process that exponentially boosted material production but also generated structural inequalities throughout the medieval, early modern and modern world. We aim to engage with the interactions and negotiations which shaped these outcomes, incorporating non-human, technological, and subaltern perspectives. Considering different contexts across the world allows us to disentangle the relationship between specific social configurations and the effects of capitalist expansion on welfare, social relations, migration and the environment in the long run, from the late middle ages until the 20th century.
Recent news
SHOC Goes on Team Building
Before heading into the new academic year, SHOC members gathered for two days of team building in beautiful Melden, near Oudenaarde!
SHOC members Rhea Mertes and William Torbeyns at the AHRC International Conference on Power and Possession at The Queen’s College, University of Oxford.
Earlier this month, SHOC members Rhea Mertes and William Torbeyns had the pleasure of representing VUB at the AHRC International Conference on Power and Possession at The Queen’s College, University of Oxford.
New publication by SHOC member Janny Van Doorn
In a new article, SHOC member Janny van Doorn examines how the urban authorities of late medieval Bruges responded to food provisioning crises and social unrest surrounding the sale of venteghoedt (affordable but highly perishable fish products).
SHOC Welcomes Matthis Aelbrecht as TVO Student!
Matthis Aelbrecht (b. 2006) is a History student at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), having begun his studies in 2024.
Upcoming events
Practical info05/10/2026 - 10:30 - 05/10/2026 - 12:00SHOC seminar with SHOC-member Inès Glogowski
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