Oasis in the Void: An Artemis II astronaut took this picture of Earth from the Orion spacecraft’s window on April 2, 2026. (Image Credit: NASA)
Since SHOT’s founding in 1958, in the wake of the launch of the Soviet satellite Sputnik in 1957 the complex and essential relationship between technology, politics, and policy has been fundamental to the work of historians of technology. Over the past seven decades, however, the explorations of this theme have taken many different forms. The recent dramatic shifts in global–and local–politics, policy, and economics have drawn attention to the concomitant upheavals in the history of technology, or rather to the approaches and conclusions of historians of technology. Are the pressing circumstances of our own contemporary moment a catalyst, an inflection point, or an invitation to revisit and reengage with foundational concepts in the history of technology?
The theme of the 2026 SHOT Annual Meeting is “Technology, Politics and Policy.” The goal is to initiate a substantive examination of all aspects of the embedded political, economic, and social values in our artifacts, institutions, and systems of governance that shape and are shaped by technology. It is also an opportunity to build upon our strengths in investigation and analysis of the past, to mobilize and engage with current challenges. As SHOT’s inaugural voluntary virtual conference, we hope that it will stimulate productive reflection on the technologies which permit this exchange of ideas beyond geographical borders, yet simultaneously rooted in the intimacy of individual places.
The virtual setting for this year’s meeting will create new opportunities to connect, collaborate, and build community across borders and time zones. Panels with familiar formats and themes featuring papers and roundtable discussions (including those marking anniversaries and milestones) will be a core part of the program. There will be creative and experimental approaches that take advantage of the virtual setting to foster meaningful interaction, and strengthen our global scholarly community.
Debbie Douglas, President
Ellan Spero, Chair, Program Committee
It is now possible to register for SHOT 2026 Virtual.
Register nowFor SHOT 2026 Virtual the following registration fees apply:
SHOT members – $150
SHOT student members – $125
SHOT retired, unemployed/under employed members – $125.
Non-members – $260*
Non-member students – $155*
Non-member unemployed/under employed – $175*
*This includes a 1-year (student)membership to SHOT
Important benefit: 90-day free access, any time. All formal program sessions will remain available to meeting registrants for 90 days. This will allow you to join sessions scheduled simultaneously (which can’t be done in an in-person meeting). If you are in a time zone not conducive to attending live, you can catch up on sessions or individual papers later, at your convenience. If you have teaching, work, family, or other obligations that prevent you from attending a live session, you can pick up any session of your choice later.
If you are a SHOT member and presenting at the Annual meeting, but the registration fee presents an undue hardship for you, please contact the SHOT office ([email protected]) no later than October 11.
For all presenters who wish to be considered for the Robinson Prize, please check your eligibility here. Additionally, please indicate on the session submission form of Robinson Prize candicacy for all eligible speakers.
APPLICATION FOR THE 2026 ROBINSON PRIZE CLOSES 30 SEPTEMBER, 2026.
The 2026 SHOT Annual Meeting is our inaugural “voluntary” online meeting invites SIGs and other groups to organize online gatherings during the meeting. The day, time, and duration of the meetings is entirely up to your group.
To arrange a meeting, please send an email to the Secretary’s Office with the following information:
•SIG or Group Name
•Date and time (including time zone) of the proposed meeting
•Organizer/Contact Person for the meeting
•Back-up organizer:
•Contact information including email(s), telephone/WhatsApp for both primary and back-up organizer.
•Desire to have meeting recorded (Yes or No). The formal sessions will be recorded and available to annual meeting attendees for 90 days. This will allow attendees (potentially) to attend all sessions. If your SIG is organizing a talk or lecture, you may wish to have your session recorded. If the meeting is a networking or social gathering, you may not wish to have the session records. Please indicate your preference.
The SHOT Secretary’s Office will confirm the details with the organizer. The date, time and access information will be provided in the meeting program and will be open to all annual meeting participants.