Call for Papers | Society of Early Americanists
American Literature Association | 37th Annual Conference | May 20–23, 2026 | Chicago, IL

New Directions in Early American Poetry Studies

This panel will develop and expand upon conversations about new directions in early American poetry studies begun at the SEA-sponsored panel on this topic to be convened during the ALA’s “American Poetry: A Symposium” (March 26–28, 2026).

Papers and presentations are invited that highlight new directions and recent developments in the study of early American poetry and poetics. Topics might include (but are not limited to):

• New readings/re-readings of canonical early American poems and poetry.
• Revisitations of “classic” critical and scholarly works that have shaped the field of early American poetry studies.
• Developments in archival work and/or digital humanities projects.
• Pedagogical strategies for teaching early American poetry.
• New theoretical approaches and/or keywords for study of early American poetry/poetics.
• The relevance of early American poetry in the 21st century. Why early American poetry now?
• Pressing questions for and/or critical gaps in early American poetry studies.

Please send short abstracts (no more than 250 words) and brief bios to Joshua Bartlett at jcbartlett@gmail.com by Monday, January 26, 2026.