Labnet: CFP: International Symposium: Closing of the Slave Trades-Transatlantic Perspectives-Belfast, May 2008

[labnet at lists.labourhistory.net]

[Cross-posted, with thanks, from H-Soz-u-Kult. AB]

From:    Dana Schaffer <gilder.lehrman.center at yale.edu>
------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Gilder Lehrman Center for the Study of Slavery, Resistance, and
Abolition, Yale University, Belfast, Northern Ireland
29.05.2008-31.05.2008, Queens University
Deadline: 30.11.2007

The abolition of the international slave trades in the United Kingdom
(1807) and the United States (1808) was perhaps only a small step for
these nation-states, but created significant consequences for national
identities and cultural developments within each sovereignty and spheres
of influence. Millions of kidnapped Africans were transported as unfree
labor for European colonies. Emerging democracies in the New World,
including Haiti, which pioneered emancipation for slaves, launched a new
era for victims of the African diaspora.

Scores of commemorative events and programs have highlighted the
anniversary of these watershed events in recent months. In May 2008 we
will gather in Belfast at a conference co-sponsored by the Gilder
Lehrman Center for Slavery, Resistance, and Abolition at Yale University
and the School of History and Anthropology at Queen's University to
contemplate both trans-Atlantic perspectives on this renewed examination
of the beginning of the end the slave trade's dominance of the Atlantic
World. Special attention will be paid to the influence of Irish
antislavery during this transforming epoch. Our program will include
reflections on how to best continue our project of expanding slavery
studies and anti-slavery efforts within the United States, United
Kingdom, and Ireland.

Museum curators, public historians, and scholars from a variety of
disciplines and institutions will come together with a goal of creating
an ongoing network of resources to highlight the ways and means of
keeping antislavery commemorations in the forefront.

In addition to a single day's series of panels, we will be sponsoring a
roundtable (to be held one day in advance of the main program)
highlighting new and emerging scholarship by postgraduates. This
competitive invitation will allow three students in graduate programs
(enrolled or applying) to present new work on the slave trades and the
transatlantic context, chaired and critiqued by the conference
co-convenors.

CANDIDATES ARE INVITED TO APPLY for presentation of their work (20 page
essays only) at our POSTGRADUATE ROUNDTABLE ON THURSDAY, MAY 29th.
Travel and accommodation to and from Belfast will be paid for all
successful candidates.

SOLICITATIONS ARE SOUGHT ON ANY OR ALL ASPECTS OF THE HISTORICAL
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ABOLITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL SLAVE TRADES-with
comparative approaches and/or materials on Ireland especially welcome.

Candidates should send a brief c.v., a one- to two-page proposal, and
two letters of recommendation to:

THE GILDER LEHRMAN CENTER
YALE UNIVERSITY
PO BOX 208206
NEW HAVEN, CT 06520-8206
ATTN: POSTGRADUATE ROUNDTABLE COMPETITION

Electronic Applications may be submitted to:
gilder.lehrman.center at yale.edu.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: November 30, 2007

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dana Schaffer
The Gilder Lehrman Center for the Study of Slavery, Resistance, and
Abolition
Yale University
PO Box 208206
New Haven, CT 06520-8206
Phone: 203-432-3339 
Fax: 203-432-6943
E-Mail: gilder.lehrman.center at yale.edu

Homepage <www.yale.edu/glc>



+