The Postcolonial Perspective in the Study of Polish History: Concluding Remarks

Abstract

The article provides a synopsis of the main themes of the conference "The Postcolonial Perspective in the Study of Polish History: Benefits, Challenges, Potential," which took place at the University of the National Education Commission in Kraków on October 23–25, 2024. It assesses the presentations against research agenda as set out by the keynote presentation of Lenny A. Ureña Valerio. The agenda outlined four key areas of development for the postcolonial perspective in Polish history: (1) histories of migration; (2) environmental history; (3) miscegenation and the limits of Polish homogeneity; and (4) intersectionality incorporating race, gender, and class. The article argues that while the conference did partially answer the research agenda, it did not do so fully, and that there remains scope for further development and refining of the postcolonial perspective in Polish history. This includes the need to recognize the limits of the approach.