Date: Tuesday August 26, 2025

Location: University of Cologne

Format: In-person only

Food: Coffee, tea, assorted beverages, morning and afternoon snacks, and lunch will be provided.

Registration: If you are interested in participating in this event please enter the requested information below. Registration is free, but space is limited. Confirmation of your participation will be sent by June 15, 2025. 

Description: The Thinking Historically for Canada’s Future (THFCF) project and the History Educators International Research Network (HEIRNET) are co-hosting a one-day pre-conference for international history educators to engage in dialogue about the past, present, and future of Peter Seixas’ “Big Six” model of historical thinking. The all-day pre-conference will include presentations and group discussions.

Rationale: It has been nearly thirty years since Seixas (1996) first conceptualized historical thinking in terms of six second-order concepts. Since its inception, Seixas’ model of historical thinking has influenced the development of history curriculum, textbooks and teaching resources, professional development workshops, large and small-scale assessments, and research projects both in Canada and globally.

Despite its significant influence on international history education teaching, learning, and research, Peter regularly reminded people that the historical thinking framework he theorized was neither the first nor last word. He recognized that if historical thinking theory and practice was going to continue to be relevant in history education research and practice, then further theoretical and empirical critiques and developments would be required. With this in mind, we are hosting dialogue sessions both internationally and in Canada to develop a revised model of historical thinking that continues to encourage critical engagement with history.