We are delighted to announce that the Virginia Consortium of Early Americanists (VCEA) will hold its annual meeting on Saturday, January 25, 2020. Our good friends at the University of Richmond will serve as our hosts for what promises to be another exciting day of conversation and scholarship. We invite all scholars of Early American history working in Virginia, including graduate students, to submit proposals and/or to attend the conference. Please share this announcement with others in your departments.
We anticipate a full day of formal sessions and informal networking opportunities. We especially encourage participation by graduate students and early career scholars. The VCEA is an excellent way to receive meaningful feedback on your work in a relaxed environment and establish relationships for future collaborations.
Pre-Circulated Paper Workshops
- Graduate students should upload a brief c.v. as well as a short description (250 words or less) of their dissertation research. If accepted, participants will share papers no longer than 10 pages with senior commentators two weeks before the conference.
- We invite senior scholars to volunteer to read these papers and offer constructive critical responses and suggestions.
Roundtable Sessions. This year, we will offer three roundtable sessions on the following themes:
- Remembering 1619. How have Virginia’s colleges and universities engaged in a broader national reckoning with the histories of enslaved people, labor, and experiences on their campuses? How have we commemorated the 400th anniversary of the beginning of African slavery in Virginia?
- The Crisis in Higher Education. Faced with declining undergraduate majors and bleak prospects for Ph.D. placement, how can and should early American history programs change for the better?
- Technology and the Scholarly Article. What is the future of the journal article in the age of digital humanities and electronic publishing?
To be considered for one of these roundtables, please submit a 250-word description of your approach to one of these topics.
Lightning Round Talks. Presentations should be no longer than 5 minutes.
Proposals along with a one-page C.V. are due by 5:00 p.m., Friday, November 1, 2019.
