"Interpreting Relationships of Power."
Supported by the AHRC.
NEW!! Photographs of the Conference!! Click here.
The conference was held in May 2006 and was a great success. From the outset the reaction to the conference was enthusiastic, highlighting both the demand for postgraduate conferences and variety and quality of new research being conducted. The call for papers brought a flurry of very good quality responses, of which, due to constraints of time and space, only two-thirds could be accepted. This led to a full and exciting programme, which included two skills based workshops and two plenary speakers.
The conference was attended by 64 people over the course of two days. The delegates were varied both in year of study and geographical origin. Students at Masters’ level as well as all stages of the PhD were represented. 45 delegates were from Scottish institutions, 17 from English and 1 from a Welsh university. The delegates’ studies were funded by various bodies including the ESRC, AHRC, and individual universities. 14 delegates were self-funded. One delegate noted in their feedback form that ‘there was a very good cross-section of students from across the UK and it was really good to meet other PhDers’. Another enjoyed ‘the mix of academics and postgrads’.
The response to the conference was very positive. Many delegates commented on the variety of papers and that they fitted together well. It was felt that the organisation of sessions led to good discussions, while many speakers noted that they felt the environment was non-threatening. As one speaker noted, ‘it was a great atmosphere for delivering my first paper, formal, yet not terrifying!’, while another commented ‘I thought that the panels were very well balanced and that they were conducted in a friendly, yet demanding environment.’
To view the Programme, click here.
Interpreting Relationships of Power
The
aims of the conference are to bring new historians together to articulate
a critical awareness of how we, as historians, interpret issues of power in our
research, and how we integrate historical methodologies in our attempts to
analyse these often complex relationships. Together the paper presentations and
workshops will provide an informal space in which research students in History
may air their current work and acquire deeper familiarity with a range of
historical methodologies. The conference itself will create networking
opportunities for students from different universities working in the same
field, with the aim of providing a consistent emphasis on presenting new and
diverse historical research and developing key presentation skills, while the
workshops aim to enhance awareness of career-planning and transferable skills.
The subject area encompasses a wide range of different aspects of power in political and cultural life, approached from a variety of different methodologies, ranging from the state and civil society to gender relations and private life. Students from all UK and Irish Higher Education Institutions are invited to attend and present papers at the conference, and it is anticipated that the conference will build on the success of the society’s previous two conferences, Silence of the Sources: From Sources to Discourses in 2005 (UK-wide) and Conflict and Change: Fresh Historical Perspectives in 2004 (Scotland-wide). In addition to paper presentations, the conference will incorporate practical and instructive workshops for attendees, with speakers drawn from both academic and professional circles. We hope to offer two skills based workshops this year presented by Janet McBain from the Scottish Film Archive and Dr Rowena Murray from the department of Educational and Professional Studies based at Strathclyde. Plenary speakers are Professor Hamish Fraser and Professor Catherine Schenk. Professor Frase is the author of many books and articles on aspects of Scottish History, including Conflict and Class: Scottish Workers, 1700-1838 (1998); Alexander Campbell and the Search for Socialism (1996); Scottish Popular Politics: From Radicalism to Labour (2000). Professor Schenk researches post-war international monetary and financial history. Her publications include Hong Kong as an International Financial Centre: Emergence and Development 1945-65 (2001) and Britain and the Stirling Area: From Devaluation to Convertibility (1994).
This conference seeks to stimulate postgraduate research by developing further the existing network of postgraduate students in Britain. Speakers will gain invaluable experience of presenting their work in a formal setting, acquiring key oratorical and debating skills while attendees will have the opportunity to participate fully in practical workshop events.
Part of the conference will be held in the exciting surroundings of the Collins Gallery, where artist Barbara Reed will be exhibiting her vibrant textiles, which are inspired by her connections with Africa (see http://www.collinsgallery.strath.ac.uk).
Limited funding for travel expenses is available for postgraduates who cannot get support from their institution.
The conference will be held in the Collins Gallery and the Senate Suite at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. Travel information is available here.
Recommendations for accommodation are available here.
The call for papers deadline has now past. To view the call for papers click here.
Registration and bursary forms are available here.
There is also an opportunity for presenters working on themes connected with Scotland to submit papers to the Journal of Scottish Historical Studies, who are keen to produce a special conference edition. If you are interested in finding out more information please click here.
