Taking a step back in time: last spring we devoted our OPG’s annual brainstorm session at the Huygens Instituut in Amsterdam to discuss transformations in the field of political history. Fifteen fellows, ranging from PhD students to board members were present to deliberate about the OPG as a ‘platform’.

This time, our special topic was OPG as a “platform”: how to create a sustainable network, promote intellectual exchange across generations, and amplify the voices of historians of the political within the discipline at large? In line with this, we also exchanged our views on the relationship with larger audiences. Might OPG help us to showcase our best proponents and ideas outside of academia?

As a follow up a small working group, consisting of Lorena de Vita, Naomi Woltring, Carla Hoetink and Jacco Pekelder, met online to expand on the harvest of ideas. Against the backdrop of campus-protests in the first half of this year, as well as an ongoing debate on the role of historians related to activism, we thought the OPG could serve as a platform to debate the balance between academia and activism. Wouldn’t be a good idea to have a book club on it this autumn, or a lecture series?

Before we go any further, however, we would like you – other fellows – to think with us. Please send us your suggestions, and/or your offer of collaboration. We are looking forward to it!