News

We’re pleased to announce that, starting in September 2025, Axel Van der Maelen will be joining SHOC as a TvO student.

As of 1 October, Mathijs Speecke (°1993, Roeselare) joins SHOC as a postdoctoral researcher.

Arne Vinck (°1994) is joining SHOC as a Talent-for-Research student. He obtained his Bachelor in Education (Secondary Education Dutch and History) at Arteveldehogeschool Gent in 2017.

We are proud to introduce The Foragers: Engagements Beyond the Human , a series of talks, screenings and an exhibition building bridges between arts and sciences.

Rhea Mertes obtained a Master’s degree in History at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) in 2025. During these studies, she developed a particular interest in social mobility in the late middle ages.

Noémi began her studies in History at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) in 2022. Her academic interests include socio-economic and migration history, with a particular focus on the Middle Ages.

As of 1 September, Bob Pierik will join VUB and the SHOC research group as an assistant professor of early modern history.   Bob's research focuses on the history of everyday life and urban space.

In a new article in Economic History Review , Centre for Urban History and SHOC researcher Bas Spliet and Anne McCants measure the cost of the early modern consumer revolution.

Smoky, dirty, unhealthy. That is how peat and coal were long perceived in the early modern period. So why did households start bringing them home, just as ideals of cleanliness and health were gaining ground?

From September 2025, Daan Huysman will be part of SHOC as a TVO student. Daan started his studies in History at the VUB (Vrije Universiteit Brussel) in 2023.

It is with great pleasure that we announce the Call for Papers for the First International Conference of the Medieval Caucasus Network, entitled 'Studying Non-Elites in the Medieval Caucasus'. This will take place at Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Brussels, Belgium, on March 13th-14th 2026.

SHOC member Anna Derhaeg and co-author Kaat Wils (University of Leuven) have published a new article, based on Anna's Master's thesis.