Reading Conference in Early Modern Studies – Call For Papers

Reading Conference in Early Modern Studies
The Early Modern Research Centre, University of Reading
7-9 July, 2014

The Reading Early Modern Conference continues to establish itself as the place where early modernists meet each July for stimulation, conversation and debate. As in previous years, proposals of individual papers and panels are invited on research in any aspect of early modern studies relating to Britain, Europe and the wider world. This year, the plenary speakers are Randall McLeod (Toronto) and Tony Claydon (Bangor).

We would welcome proposals for individual papers and panels on any aspect of early modern literature, history, art, music and culture. Panels have been proposed on the following themes and further panels or individual papers are also invited on these topics or any other aspect of early modern studies:

  • 1714: the death of Queen Anne, the last of the Stuarts; succession in a British and European context.
  • Material texts: technologies of paper, pen and print; binding and unbinding books; compilation, collection, anthologising; modern technologies and early modern texts.
  • Writers’ career choices: poetry versus plays; theatre history; plague closures; history of printing; debates over authorship.
  • Knowledge, method, practice; mechanic arts; guilds and mysteries; tacit knowledge; statecraft and arcana imperii; how-to manuals; thinking about thinking.

Proposals for panels should consist of a minimum of two and a maximum of four papers.

Each panel proposal should contain the names of the session chair, the names and affiliations of the speakers and short abstracts (200 word abstracts) of the papers together with email contacts for all participants. A proposal for an individual paper should consist of a 200 word abstract of the paper with brief details of affiliation and career.

Proposals for either papers or panels should be sent by email to the chair of the Conference Committee, Dr Rebecca Bullard, by 6 January 2014, r.bullard@reading.ac.uk.

Proposals are welcome from postgraduates, and the conference hopes to make some money available for postgraduate bursaries. Anyone for whom some financial assistance is a prerequisite for their attendance should mention this when submitting their proposal.