The 2024 HOTCUS annual conference will be hosted by the University of Southampton, between the 19-21 June 2024. The plenary speaker will be Randall J. Stephens, Professor of American and British Studies at the University of Oslo, whose keynote is titled “‘Socialism has been steadily battering at our gates’: The Roosevelt Administration and Religion in the Dust Bowl.” As in previous years, the plenary speaker will host the PGR/ECR workshop on the first day of the conference where PhD students and Early Careers Scholars can present and receive feedback on chapters, articles, or detailed research proposals. Registration for the conference is now open. Attendants can register at the University of Southampton’s portal – Link

For this Annual Conference, organizers are hoping to continue improving our offering for attendants by encouraging scholars to propose sessions other than the traditional panel with 20 minute individual papers and questions. At the Northumbria 2023 Annual Conference, we were able to deliver well-received alternative formats, including several book presentations, themed roundtables, and active workshops. We hope to continue introducing more varied sessions this year, and will be prioritizing selecting from scholars who propose alternative formats for presenting their research this year. The Call for Papers has now closed, and submissions are currently being considered.

The Call for Applications to participate in the HOTCUS PG and ECR Workshop on the first day of the conference is now live. Full details are below:

HOTCUS PG and ECR Workshop with Prof. Randall J. Stephens

Historians of the Twentieth Century United States (HOTCUS) invite proposals for a PG/ECR workshop with Professor Randall Stephens on the cultural, religious, or political history of the modern United States (broadly defined). 

The workshop will take place on the afternoon of Wednesday 19 June, 2024, as part of the HOTCUS annual conference at the University of Southampton, where Prof. Stephens is the keynote speaker.

The workshop will provide a supportive space for PhD students and early career scholars to present and receive feedback on chapters, articles, or detailed research proposals. Up to 4 participants will be selected to share a piece of writing of up to 8,000 words for intensive discussion and feedback from Professor Stephens and other workshop participants. As well as discussing their own work, which will be pre-circulated to all attendees, selected participants must commit to reading and participating in discussion of other participants’ work. Though participants do not need to register for the full HOTCUS conference, they are strongly encouraged to do so. Attendees of the HOTCUS conference will have the opportunity to apply for modest travel and/or childcare bursaries, subject to funds secured, with priority given to those without access to departmental funds from their home institutions.

The Workshop: 

·  Applications to participate in the workshop must be received by midnight UK time on Monday 22 April 2024 (see detailed instructions below).

·  Those selected to participate will be notified in early May 2024. Work for pre-circulation will be due by Monday 6 June 2024.

The workshop will take place in-person, on campus at the University of Southampton. Following the confirmation of the workshop presenters, registration for the workshop will also be open to participants who do not submit papers but commit to reading all the submitted work in advance. 

Eligibility:

The workshop is open to PhD students and ECRs in relevant fields from any university. Priority may be given to those presenting at or planning to attend the HOTCUS conference. Our definition of ECR encompasses all without permanent academic employment OR within five years of their PhD award. 

Deadline for proposal submissions:

Midnight (UK), 22 April 2024

Instructions for applicants:

To apply, please email [email protected] by midnight on 22 April 2024 using the subject line ‘Workshop with Randall Stephens’ and including the following information:

  • Your Name:
  • Your email address:
  • Title of your proposed workshop submission:
  • Abstract of your proposed submission (max 200 words):
  • Statement of support (200 words): How will this workshop help you and your research? 
  • University at which you are studying/studied or currently working
  • Year of PhD study or date of PhD submission:
  • If not selected to present your work, would you still like to participate in the workshop? Y/N
  • Are you planning to attend the main HOTCUS conference? Y/N 

Please direct any questions about the workshop or the applications process to the HOTCUS Conference Secretary, Dr Megan Hunt: [email protected]