Can the digital turn in humanities scholarship produce more fruitful engagements between post-secondary institutions and the many publics that exist just outside the

grounds of universities and colleges? This panel seeks papers that explore the waysdigital projects—particularly those concerned with online projects, but those with other

kinds of projects are welcome to apply—might help facilitate greater interaction between scholars of early American cultures and public humanities organizations while, at the

same time, advancing the goals of all communities involved in the exchange. How might such partnerships between public humanities organizations and post-secondary

institutions be brought to life in the first place? How have ongoing digital projects on early American culture at universities and colleges engaged with elementary, middle,

and/or secondary schools? How have public humanities groups partnered with scholars of early American culture on digital projects? How might scholarship on early American

writing and culture be re-imagined in light of partnerships with various public humanities organizations and/or communities? Proposals from all disciplines and from those

working outside the academy are encouraged, as are proposals from collaborators rather than individuals.  The session is listed as an "experimental format," so papers that involve 

interactive and/or alternative modes of presenting one's ideas are also encouraged.

Proposals should include your name and a title for your presentation followed by a 100-200 word abstract, as well as a brief bio (about 50-100 words), noting your background,

institutional affiliation (or note that you are an independent scholar) and scholarly interests, and major projects. Please also indicate if you are submitting a proposal to another session

organizer at the Society of Early Americanists conference or to the conference in general. 

The 2017 Society of Early Americanists conference will take place in Tulsa, OK March 2-4, 2017.