Friday 23rd May

The Annual American Studies Postgraduate Conference at the University of Manchester has become a firm fixture in Manchester’s academic conference calendar and each year more invited speakers and participants from beyond the university join us to help promote postgraduate research and innovation.

Alongside papers from current and recent postgraduates at Manchester and from further afield, the conference provides a training element focused on research and public engagement designed to aid postgraduate students looking to make a career in academia. In addition, this year marks the first time the conference is to be held in the new Graduate School, a bespoke space for postgraduate study and training within the university.

We have been fortunate to welcome a number of distinguished speakers to previous events and this year is no exception. Our keynote address will be delivered by Stacey Robertson, the Interim Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Oglesby Professor of American Heritage at Bradley University in Illinois. Stacey is the author of a number of books including Betsy Mix Cowles: Champion of Equality (2014) and Hearts Beating for Liberty: Women Abolitionists in the Old Northwest (2010). She has lectured at more than one hundred different venues nationally and internationally and is the co-director of the non-profit organization Historians Against Slavery.

We are currently accepting abstract submissions of up to 200 words for 15 minute presentations on any aspect of American Studies. This year we are also offering a number of travel awards to presenters from outside of Greater Manchester. To be considered for an award please submit a 150 word proposal outlining why you would benefit from an award.

Submit abstracts and proposals for travel awards to americanstudiesconference2014@gmail.com. The deadline for abstract submissions is Monday 5th May and for travel awards Friday 16th May.

Refreshments are provided as well as lunch and there is no conference fee to pay. Please RSVP via email or through Eventbrite by searching for ‘Annual American Studies Postgraduate Conference’

This promises to be an exciting event and we look forward to seeing you on the 23rd.

All best wishes
The Manchester American Studies Postgraduate Conference team