The Oxford Spinoza Conference is an annual gathering dedicated to exploring the myriad cross-disciplinary manners in which Benedict Spinoza has contributed to the history of philosophy and continues to shape our understanding of the world. This event will be organised with the support of the Maison Française d’Oxford.

The fourth edition will take place at Pembroke College on Thursday 7 May 2026. The theme of this year’s conference is

Spinoza in Context: War, Peace, Slavery & Colonialism

Keynote Speakers

• Jonathan Israel: Spinoza and the Anglo-Dutch Wars
• Hasana Sharp: Spinoza and Slavery

The theme will colour the keynotes, but the papers shall span the breadth and depth of Spinoza’s writing and reception. They will also reach across all generations of Spinoza scholars, from students to early career researchers and experienced academics. 

The conference will be open to all and free to attend. 

Hosted by 

Olivier Yasar de France (Stipendiary Lecturer in Political Theory, Pembroke College, Oxford)

James Read (Associate Professor of Philosophy, Pembroke College, Oxford)