CALL FOR PAPERS Mobility, Migration, & Movement 45th Annual D.C. History Conference

Washington, D.C. November 1- 4, 2018

Submission Deadline: May 31, 2018, 11:59 p.m.

In 2018, the D.C. History Conference explores the theme “Mobility, Migration, and Movement.” We mark several historic moments, including the bicentennial of the birth of Frederick Douglass, for whom mobility meant an escape to freedom and movement entailed a life-long commitment to abolition, civil rights, and women’s suffrage. We acknowledge and consider migration to the Washington Metropolitan Area from the Great Migration to migrations from Central America and the African continent. We explore the role of WMATA fifty years after its creation, reflecting on how transportation continues to shape Metropolitan Washington Area.

The D.C. History Conference Committee invites inquiry and exploration into the complex meanings of mobility, migration, and movement. Washington is a city that has witnessed the Great Migration of African Americans and has the second-largest community of El Salvadoran residents in the United States. Washington is the capital of a nation that, between 1990 and 2010, has welcomed the largest numbers of people of African descent in its history. For example,

• How might we think about spatial, cultural, and social connections between and among the multiple transnational communities that have settled in the nation’s capital?

• How do we talk about mobility and migration?

• What histories of mobility, migration, or movement might we need toexplore?

• How might we think about transnationalism in the District of Columbia?

• How has the work of disability rights activists and the legacy of the ADA transformed the culture, institutions, and public spaces of the region?

• How do conversations about immigration intersect with a history of conversations about migration both to and within the Washington Metropolitan Area?

• How might we consider concepts of displacement or rootshock?

• How might we think about WMATA’s role in helping create the landscape of the District, Maryland, and Northern Virginia?

• How might we think of movement as a complex concept – both in terms of moving in or through a place, but also in terms of civil rights and community organizing?

• What connections might be drawn between Frederick Douglass’s work and the work of other Washingtonians?

• What does the archaeological record tell us about migration and mobility in Metropolitan Washington?

The D.C. History Conference Committee invites presentations and posters on topics relating to the history, archaeology, and culture of Metropolitan Washington, D.C., including, nearby Maryland and Virginia, as well as the federal government. The D.C. History Conference is an interdisciplinary conference. We welcome papers from public and cultural historians, as well as academics in other fields, in addition to community members, organizers, and practitioners. The conference encourages participation of graduate students, as well students at all education levels.

To see panels and information about past conferences, visit http://www.dchistory.org/programs/annual-conference/

Conference submissions must be sent via Submittable: https://cdchs.submittable.com/submit

Submission Categories

All submissions are evaluated for suitability and scholarship by the D.C. History Conference Committee. The submission deadline is Thursday, May 31, 2018, 11:59 p.m. Selected panels, presenters, poster, papers, workshops, and forums will be notified in July.

Panel: Submit a 150-word description of the panel session proposal complete with panel title and titles of each presentation. Include role of each panelist, professional titles, and institutional affiliations (if applicable) and a CV or resume, with the name of the moderator, and a 150-word abstract for each presentation. Supply contact information for the panel organizer and audio- visual/IT equipment needs.

Individual Paper: Submit your paper title and a 150-word abstract along with a CV or resume, professional title and institutional affiliation (if applicable), contact info, and audio-visual/IT equipment needs.

Workshops & Forums: Submit a 150-word proposal for a workshop or forum designedto engage participants in an interactive experience exploring a critical issue to D.C. history or contemporary issues in the city. Submit a description of your workshop/forum including all IT/audio-visual requirements as well as requirements for tables or other display areas and contact information.

Poster Presentation: Submit a 150-word abstract describing your large format visual presentation of your research. Posters may be on site for the entire conference; however presenters are expected to be with their posters during poster sessions (times TBA) to share their research with a broad range of conference participants. Poster presenters should hav a mounted poster at least 2’ x 4’ in size.

Film or Performance Experience, Friday evening (running time: one hour or less) : Submit a brief description of your film including topic, running time, audience age restrictions if any, project status (finished piece or work in progress), and interest in participating in a Q & A.

Walking or Bus Tour: Submit a description of tour topic, location, length (running time and distance), start and stop points, ticket price, ages of audiences, and guide’s professional and contact information.

Author Talk: Submit contact information and description of published book, including publication date. Authors selling books on site must supply a volunteer to handle sales independently.

History Network - Friday, midday: Organization or projects focused on history are encouraged to set up a table to promote their work and recruit new members. To participate in the History Network marketplace of ideas, in addition to contact info, please indicate whether you need an entire six-foot display table, or can share with another presenter.

Conference Format

Moderated panels take place on Friday and Saturday and last one hour and 15 minutes. Typically, three speakers each take 20 minutes to present their research, followed by 10-15 minutes of discussion with audience participation. 

The conference opens on Thursday evening, with the Letitia Woods Brown Memorial Lecture honoring the memory of this pioneering scholar of African American history. Friday morning begins with a Plenary Session followed by three to four concurrent panel sessions through Saturday.

PLEASE NOTE: Participants are encouraged to incorporate a PowerPoint slide show or other audio or video complement. You will be required to transfer any files/media in advance of your presentation. Laptops and projectors will be supplied. Specific details will be provided upon acceptance.

Please address any inquiries to the Conference Committee Co-Chairs Izetta Autumn Mobley and Dr. Amanda Huron at conference@dchistory.org