Deadline Approaching - CFP: Conference on Citizenship

Call for Papers: Conrad E. Wright Research Conference on Citizenship

Massachusetts Historical Society

July 11-13, 2024

Proposals Due 15 June 2023

The centennial of both the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 and Immigration Act of 1924 offers an opportunity to explore the intersection of two subjects that have not always been considered alongside each other. However, as both scholars of Native American and U.S. immigration history grapple with the legacies of settler colonialism in their respective fields, the links between the aforementioned pieces of legislation come into clearer focus. Recent scholarship points out that the “peopling” of the United States not only occurred through the forces of international migration, but also reflects the incorporation of Indigenous peoples, forced or enslaved migrants from Africa and elsewhere, and the movement of borders that turned people into newcomers regardless of whether or not they actually moved. The degree to which those groups were included or excluded from citizenship, cultural “membership,” or even the right to remain in the nation has however varied widely. The conference committee invites proposals of papers and/or panels that explore themes associated with citizenship and other variations of national belonging reflected in both the pieces of landmark legislation featured here. 

Additionally, this conference will serve both scholars and K-12 educators by providing a platform to consider how the classroom serves as a key site of historical representation. Teachers will be invited to attend the traditional academic sessions, and scholars in turn will be invited to participate in a concluding teacher workshop at the end of the conference.

The conference and workshop will take place at the Massachusetts Historical Society and Suffolk University in Boston on 11-13 July 2024. The panels and presentations will take place on 11-12 July with the teacher workshop on 13 July. Note that all papers for presentation must be ready for pre-circulation to commenters and conference registrants four weeks prior to the conference date.

Interested parties are encouraged to submit either individual paper presentations or full panels (with or without commenters) by 15 June 2023. See full CFP for details.

Questions? Email ccloutier@masshist.org.