The JASNA Denver/Boulder Region invites submission of proposals for the breakout sessions at the 2023 AGM which will be held in Denver, Colorado, on October 27-29, 2023. The theme is “Pride and Prejudice: A Rocky Romance.” Keeping this in mind, presenters could examine the “rocky” relationships and situations existing in Pride and Prejudice through fresh eyes and unique perspectives.

Despite her sometimes cynical and ironic tone, Austen managed to create a wellspring of joy in this beloved novel. Anchored by a cherished heroine and a magnetic hero, Pride and Prejudice offers up a rich cast of secondary characters and ingenious subplots. We welcome proposals related, but not limited, to, one of the following topics within the context of the novel:

• Romances and marriages
• Challenging economic times
• Changes in society, social status, and position
• Familial relationships
• The role of women in Regency society

Other topics may also be explored. For example, Austen’s writing technique, modern interpretations of the novel, or explorations of what drives the lasting cachet of Pride and Prejudice. Breakout sessions should be 40 minutes in length, followed by a 10-minute question/discussion period.

Submission Instructions

We select intriguing speakers from academia and a wide variety of other professional backgrounds. As the AGM is JASNA’s premier event, we seek speakers who not only have demonstrated expertise in their subject areas, but have experience presenting their findings in a lively and engaging manner.

The following submission materials are required:

1. A cover letter including your name, JASNA Region, any college or university affiliation you may have, your mailing and e-mail addresses, phone number(s), and a brief description of your background (100 words max.) as it pertains to your ability to speak authoritatively on your chosen topic. Please let us know if you have been a speaker at a previous AGM, JASNA Regional meetings, or other conferences.
2. A one-page abstract of your breakout session. Describe your presentation, noting what about it will be new or different to a JASNA audience. AV equipment will be available, and the use of visuals, where appropriate, is encouraged. Please specify whether you will use AV equipment.

Proposals will be considered from JASNA members and non-members alike; however, speakers must be members at the time of conference registration. Information about membership is available at www.jasna.org/join, and information on past and upcoming AGMs is available at http://jasna.org/conferences-events/agms/. JASNA’s journals, which contain essay versions of many talks originally presented at AGMs, can be found at http://jasna.org/publications/ (many, but not all, articles are accessible online).

Please submit proposals with the information described above to:

Rae Wiseman
Pamela Mingle
Co-Coordinators of the 2023 Breakout Sessions
agm2023breakouts@gmail.com

The deadline for submissions is November 30, 2022. Selections will be announced in early 2023.

How to Apply to Be JASNA’s 2023 New Voices Breakout Speaker

JASNA AGM teams have always sought to include new voices and fresh perspectives in our speaker lineups. To formalize this process, beginning in 2022, one first-time AGM speaker will be recognized as the JASNA New Voices Breakout Speaker. Selection will be based on the strength of the breakout session proposal, with additional consideration of a short personal statement. The selected speaker will receive complimentary conference registration, a $300 travel grant, and recognition in the conference program and website.

Application instructions: Anyone who has not spoken previously at an AGM may apply. If you would like to be considered, please prepare and submit your breakout session proposal and cover letter as noted in the Submission Instructions in the 2023 AGM Call for Papers. Additionally, please provide a brief personal statement (100-word maximum) describing how your participation, or your topic, would support JASNA’s commitment to diversity and inclusion at its conferences. For this purpose, we are using a broad, multidimensional definition of diversity and inclusion and are encouraging applicants to frame their personal statements in any way they wish. Age, race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, socioeconomic status, disability, language, and other factors may be included; applicants who have occupations or hobbies that provide a distinctive insight into Austen’s work may discuss them; or, in cases where the topic of a presentation addresses diversity and inclusion directly, that may be highlighted. (Any one of these factors is sufficient; applicants do not need to try to address them all.) The most important thing is to prepare a top-notch proposal on a fresh topic that aligns with the conference theme, as selection committees will evaluate abstracts in a blind process before personal statements are reviewed.

Eligibility: Applicants may have attended past AGMs but must not have served as an AGM speaker previously. All breakout speakers must be members of JASNA in good standing at the time of AGM registration, but JASNA membership is not required to submit a proposal.

Selection Process: JASNA will evaluate applications alongside breakout session proposals November through December 2022 and announce a selection in early 2023. Strength of the breakout session proposal and its contribution to the conference theme (Pride and Prejudice: A Rocky Romance) is the primary consideration, with the personal statement considered next.