The ESSHC aims at bringing together scholars interested in explaining historical phenomena using the methods of the social sciences. The conference is characterized by a lively exchange in many small groups, rather than by formal plenary sessions.

The Conference welcomes papers and sessions on any topic and any historical period. It is organised in a large number of networks which cover a certain topic (e.g. criminal justice, family, social inequality, economics). The Conference fee will be Euro 160 for participants who pay in advance, Euro 200 for participants who pay at the conference. One day attendance will be Euro 80 for participants who pay in advance, and Euro 100 for participants who pay at the conference. The deadline for sending in a pre-registration form and abstract is 1 April 2003. The Fifth European Social Science History Conference is organised by the International Institute of Social History and the Humboldt University.