The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 spelled the end of communism in East-Central Europe, Eastern Europe, and the former Soviet Union. Like the communist experience itself, postcommunism is seen as a distinct phenomenon, with countries facing a triple transition: political, economic, and societal. So far, the notion of postcommunism has only been used for the Eurasian countries. As a consequence, it is unclear whether postcommunism is a regional phenomenon or truly captures the unique legacies of Leninist regimes worldwide.

Anton Pannekoek (1873-1960): Ways of Viewing Science and Society
Amsterdam, 9&10 June 2016

We invite contributions to the second Challenging History conference, to be hosted by Cardiff University and Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales, 29-30 June 2016.

Proposals are welcome from practitioners and/or researchers interested in re-imagining work with difficult and sensitive heritages in a time of unprecedented change, pressure and evolution for museums. The conference will directly address these contexts, and suggest imaginative responses to them, helping delegates to explore why and how challenging histories maintain their relevance.

Working for Tips - In the latest issue of IRSH (vol 60 part 3), Patricia Van den Eeckhout tries to find out how widespread was the practice of working for tips only and paying a fee to be allowed to work in restaurants and cafés.

Evan Smith (Flinders University), Matthew Worley (University of Reading) and Jon Piccini (University of Queensland) are calling for chapter proposals for an edited volume on the Australian far left in the post-war era (1945 to the present). Expanding on our work looking at the history of the British far left, we believe that a survey of the exciting new work being done of the far left in Australia and its influence on wider Australian political history is due.

We are currently seeking chapter proposals on the following topics:

Many waves of mass violence against communists occurred in the twentieth century. They took place in Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa, in capitalist but also in socialist countries. They happened before, during and after the Cold War. Such persecutions came about in a variety of situations - in peacetime, wartime, civil wars and/or guerrilla wars, as a prelude to World War II, and in the aftermath of World Wars I and II.

The Department of History and Civilization at the European University Institute invites applications for 3 doctoral research grants in the framework of the ERC research project "Looking West: the European Socialist regimes facing pan-European cooperation and the European Community" (PanEur1970s).

CCLH Article Prize

The Canadian Committee on Labour History (CCLH) Article Prize is awarded annually for the best article, published in a journal or book, that contributes to our understanding of the history of labour, work and society in Canada. The article may be published in English or French.

CfP: International solidarity movements in the Low Countries during the long twentieth century. New perspectives and themes.

WCML ebulletin with news from the Library and elsewhere.