NYS History and Education Conference Call for Proposals

The 2022 New York State History and Education Conference, set for October 28th through 30th at SUNY Oneonta, has announced a call for proposals. This years theme is “History Fights Back.”

History has a critical role to play in leadership, decision-making, policy, civics education, justice work, and community life. Yet, historians and educators face an increasingly challenging landscape in which politicians and pundits seek to limit open discourse and critical interrogation of many aspects of the past.

The conference theme tackles this situation head on, creating spaces for lively discussion and dialogue on the ways in which historians and educators of all backgrounds can make their voices heard and stand up for well-researched and inclusive historical narratives.

Organizers welcome proposals from all history practitioners and educators that address the diverse history of New York State, especially proposals that feature Indigenous histories and voices.

The New York State History and Education Conference has five guiding objectives:

• Encourage collaboration across the history community (and beyond);
• Connect K-12 educators and history professionals and provide resources for teaching the complex history of New York State, the nation, and the world;
• Imagine a more diverse and inclusive history of New York State;
• Deliberately amplify Indigenous voices; and
• Challenge traditional conference structures to be livelier and more welcoming.

Participants are strongly urded not to read papers. Instead, sessions that adopt a variety of formats — such as roundtable discussions, workshops, performances, and interactive activities — are encouraged. An important objective is to generate dialogue and authentic engagement among conference participants.

Organizers are particularly interested in proposals that connect K-12 educators with historians working in a variety of settings, such as museums, historic sites, and colleges and universities. Proposals that highlight primary resources and digital projects are encouraged.

Finally, full session proposals that include a theme and slate of presenters are welcome. Preference will be given for full session proposals; however, individual presentation proposals will be accepted.

Proposals are due by July 15th, 2022.

For more information on the conference, or to submit a proposal, click here.