Call for Papers: International PhD Seminar in American History / American Studies
Middelburg, The Netherlands
26-28 November 2025
The Roosevelt Institute for American Studies (RIAS) is a leading research center and graduate school, partnered with Leiden University, dedicated to the study of American history, politics, and society. Since 2003, the Institute has organized regular seminars for doctoral students pursuing research in its areas of interest.
The RIAS will host its next in-person research seminar in Middelburg on 26-28 November 2025. We kindly invite applications from current doctoral candidates whose research covers any
aspect of American culture, media, society, politics, or foreign relations, recent or historical.
We are particularly interested in studies in the following research areas:
– Culture and ideology
– U.S. in the world
– Environmental issues
– Race and gender studies
– Social justice movements, civil and political rights
We welcome proposals for research papers (e.g., a dissertation chapter) or papers that give an overview of the PhD project. Participants will present their paper and contextualize it within their research project in a 15-minute presentation. Each presentation is followed by a group discussion of approximately 45 minutes, providing extensive opportunities for feedback.
Applicants are invited to submit their proposals, consisting of a 300-word abstract and a CV, both in PDF, no later than Friday, 12 September 2025. These should be addressed to the seminar coordinator, Jeanine Quené, and sent to [email protected].
To support a culture of diversity and inclusion, we strongly encourage proposals from students that reflect the diversity of our field in terms of gender, ethnicity, and disability.
Participants will be expected to have a paper (approximately 6,000 words) ready for precirculation by Friday, 7 November 2025.
The RIAS will provide accommodation and meals in Middelburg.
For further information, please consult our website at www.roosevelt.nl or contact the seminar coordinator at [email protected].