History Conference Program
2020 HRS Program

HISTORY RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM

ABOUT THE HISTORY RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM | HRS

The History Research Symposium is an annual convening for sharing and learning about historical periods & people, pedagogy, and historical initiatives. The annual meeting celebrates the unique inquiry into our collective historical past.

Building on a five-year history, HRS encourages students, scholars and community members to submit proposals. HRS promotes professional training, historical inquiry, and intellectual collaboration. We also welcome submissions from other disciplines such as Africana Studies, Culture Studies, Gender Studies, Social Sciences, Behavioral Sciences and Museum Studies.

#HRS2021 will be held virtually February 10-12, 2021


2021 THEME

INSECURE: BLACK LIFE, RESILIENCE, & JOY IN THE AGE OF UNCERTAINTY

The Symposium’s theme underscores the undeniable challenges brought to the forefront of American History in 2020. At the time of this Call For Proposals, and likely for the immediate future, we are in a state of insecurity. Many of the rhythms of life that we have grown accustomed to now look different, feel different, or in some cases no longer exist. In just a sweep of months, we have contended with and engaged in rebellions against state violence, a global pandemic, faltering political institutions, and an economy that has shined a bright light on deep levels of inequality. Insecurity seems to be the operative word to describe this moment in time.

The Symposium’s theme also reflects upon resilience and joy.  It seeks to inspire attendees to reimagine the current state of insecurity as a pathway to racial harmony, racial progress, and stability. It challenges us to think critically about the role of historical inquiry. Undoubtedly, we have had a number of triumphs (Reconstruction, New Negro Movement, Civil Rights/Black Power, etc.) which were of such epic proportion that they changed not only the nation, but also the world.

So, at this time, as in earlier periods, we are required to not only live, but also engage this insecurity, resilience, and joy. Perhaps the beauty and burden of blackness is to have the ironic privilege of grappling with this weighty history and using it to inform how we chart our future. There have been a wide range of responses to troubling times. They include making space for lamentation, self-preservation, resistance, and even joy. All are legitimate, connected, and often existed at the same time in the same person or community.

For this year’s conference, we invite participants to draw on this manifold tradition of engaging ideas of insecurity, resilience, and joy, particularly among people of African descent in the United States and the larger world. We think that important connections and solutions will be made when considering our past, current state of affairs, and our deep abiding desire for a sense of security in the future.

Perhaps this climate is the most appropriate time for us to celebrate our fifth-year anniversary and to reflect on all of the growth we have experienced as a community of scholars. It also allows us to reimagine our effort to re-center Historically Black Colleges and Universities as grounds of rigorous historical inquiry, research, and community engagement.


REGISTRATION

  • Registration covers participation in the three-day virtual conference, including plenary live streams, synchronous and asynchronous sessions, and networking opportunities. 
  • $40 USD Standard Rate | waived 
  • $15 USD Student Rate | waived
  • Registration fees for 2020-21 are waived. However, we are accepting donations 
  • CLICK HERE to Register!!

SESSION TYPES

HRS will be conducted entirely as a virtual event. Synchronous sessions will be held live at a specific time in the program. Asynchronous types will be submitted in advance and available for viewing throughout the conference. 

PRESENTATIONS

  • Synchronous - 25 min
  • Presentations are standalone talks that focus on a single theme, topic, project, or historical event. This type of session will be scheduled in concurrent slots. Sessions may be either presented live or pre-recorded with live Q&A. A maximum of two speakers is allowed, and 5 of the 25 minutes will be reserved for audience Q&A.  

PANELS

  • Synchronous - 45 min
  • Panels are structured discussions between multiple speakers offering diverse perspectives or approaches on a common historical theme. Panels include three to four speakers, inclusive of a moderator. Panel proposals should outline the topic along with how each panelist will contribute a related topic to foster an engaging and informative conversation. At least 10 minutes will be reserved for audience Q&A. 

WORKSHOPS

  • Synchronous - 55 min
  • Workshops will engage participants in practical activities focused on learning new skills, trying out tools or techniques, or collaborating on a project. Proposals should clearly specify what participants will learn, do, or make, and also what tools will be used to support collaboration. Virtual breakout rooms are available for all workshops.

SUBMISSION PROCESS

  • The History Research Symposium encourages Proposal Submissions from students, scholars and community members. HRS promotes professional training, historical inquiry, and intellectual collaboration. We also welcome submissions from other disciplines such as Africana Studies, Culture Studies, Gender Studies, Social Sciences, Behavioral Sciences and Museum Studies

  • Proposals should be submitted to hrs@tuskegee.edu

TIMELINE

  • DECEMBER 18, 2020 - SUBMISSION DEADLINE
  • JANUARY 8, 2021 - DECISIONS 
  • JANUARY 15, 2021 - SCHEDULE PUBLISHED
  • JANUARY 22, 2021 - ASYNCHRONOUS CONTENT DEADLINE

PREVIOUS CONFERENCE THEMES

  • INAUGURAL HRS - "SACRED GROUNDS: EXCAVATING SITES OF BLAK MEMORY" - FEBRUARY 10, 2017
  • 2ND HRS - "THE BEAUTY AND BURDEN OF BLACKNESS: RACE, RELATIONSHIPS, & REBELLION | PAST, PRESENT, & FUTURE" - FEBRUARY 15-16, 2018
  • 3RD HRS - "WE WEAR THE MASK: BLACK CULTURAL REPRESENTATION, REPRODUCTION, & REDEMPTION" - FEBRUARY 14-15, 2019
  • 4TH HRS - "REMEMBRANCE, RENAISSANCE, & REVOLUTION: THE CONTINUED STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM" - FEBRUARY 12-14, 2020

CONTACT US

Dr. Sheena Harris Dr. Sheena Harris 

 Associate Professor of History 

 HRS | Chair 

 sharris@tuskegee.edu | hrs@tuskegee.edu


Dr. Worth Hayes Dr. Worth Kamili Hayes

 Associate Professor of History 

 HRS | Co-Chair

 whayes@tuskegee.edu


Dr. John Tilghman Dr. John Tilghman

 Associate Professor of History 

 HRS | Co-Chair

 jtilghman@tuskegee.edu