New Perspectives in American Studies:

Austria’s Young Americanists’ (AYA) Spring Colloquium and Writing Workshop for Emerging Scholars in American Studies

Organizers: Sandra Tausel and Johannes Vith (Department of American Studies, University of Innsbruck)

May 6-7, 2022

The field of American Studies has continually developed in a highly dynamic and interdisciplinary way, which has allowed scholars to address topics and discourses that are pertinent in our time. The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, police brutality against BIPOC, political polarization, aging of the population, as well as the climate crisis not only constitute contemporary challenges but also incite critical discussions of social, economic, and environmental justice, which in turn fosters the emergence of new perspectives in American Studies.

Austria’s Young Americanists (AYA) invite emerging scholars in American Studies to the eleventh spring colloquium and writing workshop at the University of Innsbruck from May 6-7, 2022. As part of the colloquium on May 6, we will welcome Maria San Filippo (Emerson College), Robert Winkler (University of Salzburg), and Terri Tomsky (University of Alberta) as keynote speakers. On May 6, we also invite Ph.D. and advanced M.A. students to present chapters or outlines of their graduate projects offering new interdisciplinary perspectives on American literature and culture. In addition, the writing workshop on May 7 will provide a forum to discuss, revise, and receive feedback on participants’ brief writing excerpts. 

The AYA colloquium on May 6 aims to open up a space for exchange and networking for emerging American Studies scholars by providing an opportunity to present, share, and receive feedback on their work. In the accompanying writing workshop on May 7, interested scholars can present short excerpts of their writing for discussion and receive peer feedback from other young Americanists as well as feedback from established scholars in the field. 

Young Americanists interested in presenting their projects during the colloquium should send abstracts (300 words max.) with a short bio note to austriasyoungamericanists@gmail.com by March 28. Please note that presentation length should be limited to 15-20 minutes. Scholars interested in participating in the writing workshop should send a title of their text and indicate the text type (chapter or article excerpts, abstracts, exposés) also by March 28. Workshop texts do not have to be submitted beforehand but should not exceed 2000 words. Emerging scholars are, of course, cordially invited to attend both the colloquium and the workshop. Both the colloquium and the writing workshop will take place as hybrid events; we are looking forward to welcoming scholars to Innsbruck, while also giving attendees the option to participate online. Please indicate in your email which of the two events (or both) you wish to attend and whether you plan to join us in person or online.

The program can be accessed here.