JEDDAH: Experts in the fields of archaeology, history, anthropology, environmental studies and museum curation are being invited to apply to take part in the 2026 edition of the Red Sea International Conference.
The event, which will run from April 9-12, will be held at the Bab Al-Bunt building, which sits within Jeddah’s UNESCO-listed Historic District and is the future home of the Red Sea Museum.
Launched in 2002, the conference is regarded as a key platform for interdisciplinary dialogue on the Red Sea’s historical significance. Previous editions have been held in partnership with the British Museum, University of Southampton, University of Warsaw and University of Crete, among others.
The open call for the 2026 event was issued by Saudi Arabia’s Museums Commission and Heritage Commission. Participants will explore a broad range of themes, from ancient maritime trade and the archaeology of coastal cities and ports, to environmental history, underwater heritage and the Red Sea’s legacy as a crossroads of cultures linking Africa, Arabia and the Indian Ocean.
Anyone interested in taking part should submit an abstract, limited to 300 words and written in English, to rsm.info@moc.gov.sa by Oct. 15. Poster proposals are also welcomed and will be reviewed by a scientific committee.
To support broad participation in the conference, the commissions will provide five grants to cover the cost of travel, accommodation and registration to researchers whose papers are accepted.
Priority will be given to applicants from the Red Sea region and developing countries.
By hosting the conference in Jeddah, the commissions aim to bolster Saudi Arabia’s academic and cultural standing, while reaffirming the Red Sea’s enduring significance as a living archive of human history, exchange and civilization.
