The inaugural National Intelligence History Conference (NIHC) will be held at Bletchley Park on Wednesday 20 – Friday 22 November 2024. Jointly hosted by Bletchley Park Trust and GCHQ, the conference is open to all who have an interest in intelligence history.

The theme of the 2024 conference is ‘People in Intelligence’. The call for papers deadline is 24 May 2024 and the programme will be published in July 2024.

Topics presented at the conference may include the history of intelligence organisations, personal stories, biographies, cryptography and cryptanalysis throughout history, representations of intelligence in popular culture, human intelligence and espionage.

Delegates will enjoy 3 days of panel discussions, plenary lectures, poster displays, networking opportunities and free access to the Bletchley Park heritage site and facilities.

Submissions are invited on topics including, but not limited to:
- History of intelligence organisations and operations from any historical period, and from any country.
- History of individuals or groups involved in intelligence. Personal stories and biographies (including those that explore diversity and cultural experiences).
- Cryptography, cryptanalysis and the history of SIGINT and COMINT.
- Human intelligence and espionage.
- Intelligence as represented in popular culture and literature, including fiction, documentary, TV and film.
- Public perceptions of intelligence practice and institutions.

Papers are also welcome on contemporary issues and events, but these should ideally be framed in a historical context. The theme of this conference is broader than just SIGINT, and submissions on all types of intelligence will be accepted and reviewed equally.

Delegates wishing to present at the conference or display a poster must provide a short synopsis (maximum of 500 words) of their topic, which could form the basis of a 20-minute presentation or a single A1-sized poster at the event. This needs to be submitted, along with a short biography, by the deadline of 24 May 2024, for formal review by the peer review panel.

More information, including information on bursaries, can be found at https://bletchleypark.org.uk/nihc/call-for-papers/

All those wishing to speak or display a poster will be notified by 1 July 2024 of whether their submissions have been successful.

Please submit your synopsis with an accompanying short biography to NIHC@bletchleypark.org.uk and make it clear if you wish to speak, display a poster or either.

Booking for the conference (3-day or 1-day tickets available) opens 1 July 2024. Find out more at www.bletchleypark.org.uk/nihc