Providence, Rhode Island
April 2-5, 2009

 
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Call for Proposals (flyer)

Toward Broader Horizons

"Toward Broader Horizons" — Recognizing Providence, Rhode Island’s legacy of global connections, dissent, activism, and innovation, the 2009 NCPH Program Committee invites proposals that explore how expansive visions have shaped and might continue to transform the practice of public history. The committee encourages dialogue that transcends boundaries of geography, academic discipline, and tradition in the spirit of looking outward from our existing vantage point to broader horizons. We look forward to proposals that connect local stories to international issues, capture the role of activism in public history and related disciplines (i.e. public anthropology, folklore, art, economics, and sociology), speak to social justice and environmental politics, commemorate individuals who have brought about change, and, more generally, innovative ideas in the content and practice of museums, historic sites, archives, and other public venues.

The Program Committee prefers the submission of complete session proposals (including panels and roundtables), but will accept individual presentations for consideration as well and will make every effort to construct sessions from topically related single proposals. The committee also invites proposals for sessions in formats beyond the usual paper session, and encourages presenters in more traditional sessions to dispense with the reading of papers.

NCPH will be using an online proposal submission form this year, which will be available at http://www.ncph.org in July. Please have all of the following information ready at the time of submitting your proposal.

• Name and contact information for session/event organizer, the person who will be the main liaison with the NCPH office and 2009 Program Committee
• Complete mailing address, email, telephone number, and affiliation for each participant
• Format of the session/event/presentation (single paper, session, roundtable, working group, or alternative format. This year’s theme lends itself to experimental formats.)
• If an offsite venue/location would strengthen the session/event/presentation, what particular site(s) do you have in mind and have you made initial contact?
  
• Abstract of no more than 500 words for the session as a whole together with brief summaries of no more than 150 words for each paper or presentation
• A two-page (maximum) c.v. or resume for each participant
• Audio-visual/technology requests (It is important to note any special A-V, technology, or room setup requests early so that the conference organizers can try to address them.)

In addition, please address the following specific information regarding your proposed format:

• Roundtable: describe what strategies you will use to facilitate and direct productive discussion that allows for participation of a large portion of the audience.
• Working Group: must include names of co-chairs (two) and explain your criteria for selecting participants who will prepare case statements in advance of the working group. Because this is only the second year for this format and the first time it is included in the CFP, you may express your preference for either 12 or 15 case statements/participants, whether or not you would like for the session to be open to all conference attendees, and desired length of time.
• Workshop: explain what skill or knowledge participants take away from the workshop. What method will you use to instill new skills or knowledge (i.e. hands-on exercises, guided instruction through hand-outs, group discussion, activities). Briefly describe hand-outs or other take-away material.
• Individual Presentations: include a list of themes/topics that your presentation will address so that we may better match it with other single submissions.
• Alternative Format: clearly state the goal of your program, how it will facilitate interaction among participants, time frame needed, desired location, and explain why your proposed alternative format is conducive to achieving your goal.

All conference attendees, including presenters and other participants, are expected to register for the annual meeting. The Program Committee discourages individuals from appearing on more than one proposal. Some Program Committee funds may be available to assist participants, such as individuals from outside the United States, who might not normally attend a public history conference and whose presence would increase the diversity of the program. Proposals must indicate if any one on the panel will be requesting NCPH assistance from the committee.

Please submit proposals using online form at http://www.ncph.org by September 3, 2008.