CFP - Colonial Sanitation Workshop 2 June 2026

Colonial Sanitation Workshop

Modern sanitation has long been tied to systems of power, governance, and social hierarchy. Sanitation is not only about treating sewage, waste disposal, and the supply of fresh water – it involves economy, technology, planning, regulation, and much more. Sanitation also represents cultural values, social justice, and Human-Nature relations. During the 19th-20th centuries, European sanitary ideology spread worldwide, often as a direct product of the colonial project. Sanitation reinforced European notions of “undeveloped” civilizations and legitimized colonial rule by demonstrating European control over territories and living conditions. While sanitary systems improved living conditions for some, they came with environmental and social costs.
This online workshop brings together scholars of any sanitation aspect under colonial rule across the globe in the 19th-20th centuries. We will discuss works in progress, identify common patterns, examine the uniqueness of each study, and gain inspiration and academic feedback on our work. Eventually, we will discuss future collaborations in projects, writing, and conferences. All scholars are welcome to participate in the workshop; however, we especially encourage early-career scholars during their PhD or Postdoctoral studies to apply.