HOTCUS 2021 Annual Conference: Call for Papers

Digital Conference – 7-11 June 2021

Plenary Speaker: Professor Connie Chiang (Bowdoin College)

Historians of the Twentieth Century United States (HOTCUS) is delighted to invite paper and panel proposals for our 2021 annual conference. For the first time, the annual conference will take place digitally in order to provide the safest and most accessible venue for attendants. Despite the global context, we still hope to provide a space for scholars to share their research and socialize virtually with colleagues studying the history of the United States. 

Papers from members or non-members are welcomed on all topics concerning the history of the United States – broadly conceived – from 1890 to the present. The committee welcomes proposals for papers and panels covering all aspects of U.S. history, including (but not limited to):

  • Citizenship, immigration, and migration
  • Cultural and intellectual history
  • Economic history
  • Environmental history
  • Foreign relations and America in the world
  • Gender and sexuality
  • Native American history
  • Pedagogy and practice
  • Political and policy history
  • Race and racism
  • Religion
  • Science and technology
  • Urban history

Individual paper proposals, three-person panel proposals, and roundtables on specific issues are equally welcomed. The conference organizers’ also welcome innovative formats for sessions, including (but not limited to) discussions of archives and other primary sources, interactive panels on specific texts or themes, or moderated conversations on contemporary issues in American society.

Format
In order to avoid potential issues with internet connectivity and to ensure accessibility, conference papers of up to 2,000 words will be pre-circulated two weeks beforehand. During panels, speakers will give a brief overview of their paper and then participate in an online Q&A. Fully-formed panels can present in different formats such as standard spoken papers if specified in the submission. Questions regarding the format of panels can be directed to HOTCUS Events Secretary Miguel Hernández at [email protected] 

Submissions

HOTCUS is dedicated to fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion. We will give preference to panels that reflect the diversity of our field in terms of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and institutional affiliation. We will also give preference to panels that include a mix of participants from across the career spectrum (i.e., from postgraduate to professor). Historically women have been disproportionately underrepresented on panels and HOTCUS is taking positive action, as permitted under s.158 Equality Act 2010, to enable and encourage the participation of women. For this reason all-male panel proposals will not be accepted. HOTCUS may constitute an all-male panel or other presentation where absolutely necessary (but any such consideration will be other than via the call for papers procedure). To help the symposium organisers arrange panels, please note your preferred gender identity with your submission. HOTCUS would also especially welcome proposals from the BIPOC academic community, who have historically been under-represented at its events.

 If submitting an individual paper, please send a brief CV (no more than two pages) and a 200-300-word abstract of the proposed paper. Panel proposals should contain a 200-300-word abstract for each paper and a brief CV (no more than two pages) for each participant in a single document. (Addendum – we would also appreciate a 200-300 word abstract for the panel as a whole, though this is not a requirement.)  Panel chairs can be included with the proposal or can be added by the HOTCUS organising committee. Decisions on acceptance will be made on a rolling basis, and so the CfP may close earlier than the advertised date below. In the event that the CfP closes early, HOTCUS members will be notified via email and social media

Paper and panel proposals should be submitted to the HOTCUS email address – [email protected] – by 12th February 2021. This email account is checked on Mondays and Thursdays.