Call for Expressions of Interest
The Society for Renaissance Studies seeks expressions of interest in relation to hosting the Society’s biennial conference in 2027 (our 60th anniversary year) or 2029. The conference has a strong reputation for collegiality, innovation and support of ECAs, and draws a large number of delegates from the UK, Ireland, the rest of Europe and beyond. In recent years, our conferences have been held in York, Manchester, Southampton, Glasgow, Sheffield, and Liverpool, with our July 2025 conference, on ‘Interconnections’ to be hosted by the University of Bristol. In recent years, the conference has tended to attract around 250-300 delegates, and the venue will need both large theatres for 3 or 4 plenary lectures, as well as a large number of smaller seminar rooms for paper panels and roundtables. The expression of interest should include details of the following: theme and rationale; organising committee; venue(s) and travel logistics; preliminary budget; any potential special events/partnerships with local organisations or institutions.
We warmly welcome discussion with potential hosts in the UK, Ireland or the rest of Europe (and ask that, post-Brexit, European applicants liaise with us early in the process), and offer support for potential applicants, as well as the eventual hosts. The conferences are expected to be cost-neutral and to break-even; potential hosts should consider sources of additional local funding (which could take the form of in-kind contributions such as waiving venue hire fees). For further queries and information – including our conference protocols – please contact the Chair, Professor Jane Grogan (jane.grogan@ucd.ie ) or Secretary, Dr Rachel Willie (R.J.Willie@ljmu.ac.uk).
Expressions of interest should be sent to the Secretary of the Society, Dr Rachel Willie (R.J.Willie@ljmu.ac.uk) by 30 March 2025; the decision to be made in May, and formally announced at the Bristol conference.