Call for Papers: Slavery, Institutions, and Empire – Moving Beyond Microhistory

Slavery, Institutions, and Empire: Moving Beyond Microhistory

The past few years have witnessed a wave of new studies that explore the relationships between specific institutions and the colonial past. The institutions encompassed within this burgeoning field include higher education establishments, hospitals, museums, corporations, and country houses.

This new generation of studies has produced a great deal of knowledge regarding the specific institutions in question. Yet, because of the way in which these projects have been conceived and funded, they rarely offer the opportunity to reflect on what these institutional histories might mean in the wider context of British domestic and imperial history.

This conference seeks to move beyond those individual microhistories, using them to shed light on bigger questions. What is the significance of individual research projects beyond that for the institution in question? How can these histories be integrated into the wider field? What can they tell us about the development of empire, Britain, colonialism, etc.?

We invite proposals for individual papers or panels that address larger issues raised by recent and current projects on British institutions and slavery, as well as other colonial connections. Papers may be centred on research projects about a particular institution, but may also range more widely. The issues we seek to explore include, but are not limited to, the following topics:

  • Methodological and theoretical approaches: what can we take from institutional microhistories and apply elsewhere?
  • Comparative histories: does putting individual histories alongside each other tell us something new about institutional development, patterns in imperial expansion, etc.?
  • Histories and Historiographies of Empire: can these new histories shed light, question, or refine ideas about established historiographical concepts like the imperialism of free trade, gentlemanly capitalism, or the new imperial history?
  • Core-and-periphery dynamics and the relationship between colonies and colonizers: did institutions and individuals located at certain places in the core-periphery axis experience empire differently? Were there particular dynamics or relationships that apply to places like Scotland, Wales, or Ireland that do not apply to England?
  • Business and economic history; histories of capitalism; histories of labour
  • Imperial networking and networks
  • Institutions and the construction of knowledge
  • Social and geographic mobility
  • Regional patterns of imperial participation
  • Histories of philanthropy

This day and a half-day conference will allow participants to engage with these issues, new research in the field, and with other researchers. It will conclude with a roundtable discussion.

We will meet on 7 and 8 September 2023 at Brasenose College, Oxford for an in-person conference. Participants should be committed to attend all panels.

We particularly welcome proposals from post-graduate research students and ECRs.

Funding will be available for travel and accommodation costs for speakers. Meals will be provided.

To propose a paper, please send an abstract of up to 250 words and a one-page CV by April 15, 2023, to hunter.harris@nuffield.ox.ac.uk.

To propose a panel, please send to the same address a single document, labelled with the first initial and surname of the contact person (e.g., “SmithJ2023”), by April 15, 2023. The document should contain:

  • Panel title and one-paragraph description of panel topic, including a brief rationale that connects the papers
  • Title and 200-word abstracts for 3-4 papers
  • Email addresses and institutional affiliations (if applicable) for all participants
  • One-page CVfor each participant
  • Panel submissions may include a chair/commenter but do not need to do so

Questions about the conference may be directed to Hunter Harris (hunter.harris@nuffield.ox.ac.uk)

Lecturer in Global Inequalities, University of Glasgow

Job Details

Lecturer in Global Inequalities

Reference Number

027576

Location

Gilmorehill Campus / Main Building

College / Service

COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

Department

SCHOOL OF SOCIAL & POLITICAL SCIENCES

Job Family

Research And Teaching

Position Type

Full Time

Salary Range

£35,210 – £39,610/£43,266 – £50,132 per annum

Job Purpose

To undertake research of international excellence and contribute to knowledge exchange activities relative to the discipline, contribute to learning and teaching on agreed programmes and undertake administration and service activities in line with the School/College’s strategic objectives.

For appointment at Grade 8, a substantial contribution will include leading high-quality research and knowledge exchange activities and delivering, organising and reviewing key areas of teaching and learning within the School.


The School of Social and Political Sciences seeks to augment and complement existing strengths in global economic, business, gender and/or medical history through appointment of a Lecturer in Global Inequalities. The candidate will be based in the Economic and Social History subject area, and we welcome applications from candidates with ability to work across disciplinary boundaries. The theme of inequality is already embedded in the ESH curriculum at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and research-led teaching by a new specialist member of staff will enhance this still further, in particular through delivery of core and specialist courses in the MSc in Global Economy programme; the Erasmus Mundus International Masters programme in Global Markets, Local Creativities (GLOCAL); and the MSc in History programme. Preference is for appointment of a candidate with a 20th century focus. The geographic speciality is open, although an appointment with a specialism in East Asia or the Indian subcontinent would be desirable.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Develop and progress externally funded individual/joint research projects of international standard either collaboratively or with the support of a mentor, as required.

2. Write up research findings/outcomes for publication in leading international journals for dissemination as appropriate, identifying potential sources and contributing to funding applications as an individual or team member.

3. Contribute fully to developing and enhancing the research profile of the School/College, including establishing a track record of high-quality publications, public engagement and developing relationships with knowledge exchange partners as appropriate.

4. Contribute to the planning, organisation and delivery of innovative teaching on undergraduate and/or postgraduate courses within the subject area in accordance with the subject’s priorities including accepting responsibilities as course co-ordinator for one or more courses.

5. Contribute to the on-going development and design of the curriculum in a manner that supports a research-led and scholarly approach to student learning and assessment in the discipline and/or profession.

6. Participate fully in examination and other assessment processes, as appropriate, using a variety of methods and techniques and to provide effective, timely and appropriate feedback to students to support their learning. 

7. Contribute to the development of theory and practice in area of disciplinary expertise.

8. Supervise individual student projects at undergraduate and/or postgraduate level to complete within agreed timelines, and to write/ support applications for funding for future PGR students. Contribute to the supervision and training of postgraduate research students, as appropriate, to ensure their effective development

9. Take on administrative, leadership or management roles within the subject/School as assigned by the Head of School.

10. Engage in professional development as appropriate to support your future career

11. To contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan – Inspiring People – Changing the World.  http://www.gla.ac.uk/about/strategy/people/

For appointment at Grade 8:

In addition to the duties and responsibilities above:

12. Pursue and deliver independent research proposals and/or collaborative research projects, with substantial contribution as PI or work package lead, project managing research activities, supervising and taking responsibility for the research team. Securing external resources to support research individually and/or jointly, as appropriate to disciplinary norms.


13. Make a substantial contribution to developing and enhancing the research profile of the School/College. Establishing and leading research collaborations with appropriate individuals and groups within the University, including multi-disciplinary links, and developing external research collaborations both nationally and internationally, to ensure that research activities are at the forefront of the field.

14. Take a lead in the on-going development and design of the curriculum in a manner which supports a research-led and scholarly approach to student learning and assessment, making a substantial contribution to the teaching and learning activities within the School.

15. Develop new and effective approaches to the use of learning technologies to support and enhance course delivery, organisation, feedback and assessment.

16. Develop a growing portfolio of research outputs and activities and support early career staff in developing their own portfolio.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:
A1: Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) in the subject area or cognate field, or equivalent professional and/or teaching experience in a similar or related role.
A2: Sufficient breadth and/or depth of knowledge in the specialist discipline and of research/teaching methods and techniques to work within the subject area.
A3 Emerging national/international research profile in the subject area 
For Appointment at Grade 8:
A4: Extensive breadth and depth of knowledge in the specialist discipline to develop research and teaching programmes and methodologies.
A5: Established reputation in research and teaching, including an international research profile in the subject area.
A6: Membership of relevant professional body, where appropriate.

Skills

Essential:
C1: Ability to communicate material of a specialist or highly technical nature and to be effective both orally and in writing at a level appropriate to the activity.
C2: Ability to engage the interest and enthusiasm of students to inspire learning and to provide pastoral care to students within the subject area.
C3: Ability to apply policy, practice and procedures including broader University/sector/external (e.g. commercial) awareness.
C4: Ability to work on own initiative to contribute to the research and teaching activities within the subject area and wider School environment.
C5: Effective organisation skills to manage time and prioritise as appropriate research, teaching and administrative responsibilities.
For Appointment at Grade 8:
C6: Ability to communicate complex or conceptual ideas to those with limited knowledge and understanding, and developing early career academic colleagues.
C7: Ability to contribute to broader leadership and management activities along with an awareness of current and future priorities of the University, College and School.
C8: Ability to collaborate with colleagues in other disciplines and/or institutions in developing research.

Experience

Essential:
E1: Experience of planning and progressing work activities within professional guidelines or organisational policy, applying initiative and independent judgement.
E2: Developing track record of research outputs compatible with enhancing the School’s research profile in accordance with School objectives.
For Appointment at Grade 8:
E3: Established track record of research outputs and of applying for, and securing, external research funding compatible with enhancing the School’s research profile in accordance with School objectives.
E4: Track record of scholarship and development and delivery of teaching, and proven ability to develop and devise teaching programmes, techniques and methods.
E5: Experience of planning and progressing work activities within professional guidelines or organisational policy, applying initiative and independent judgement.
E6: Experience of supervision of students at honours or postgraduate level
E7: Track record of continuous engagement with current practice and developing knowledge.

Job Features

Dimensions:
Produce publications as appropriate to subject specialism within agreed timescales
Participate in the supervision of postgraduate students, including PhDs, to complete within agreed timeframes
Participate in public engagement activities
Develop and maintain relationships with knowledge exchange partners
Actively develop and extend the impact of your work with outside partners, publics and organisations
Develop and deploy effective learning and teaching resources, as agreed with relevant stakeholders, e.g. Heads of Subject/School.
Design, implement and evaluate teaching for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes as appropriate.
Actively participate in appropriate Subject/School/College and University committees.
Actively contribute to the research life of the subject area/discipline/School or interdisciplinary themes through participation in and leadership of research, knowledge exchange and impact activities. 
Actively contribute to University, College and School research strategy, attending and presenting at high profile international conference and acting as principal investigator on research grants.
Contribute to international and national research developments through membership of scholarly and advisory bodies
For Appointment at Grade 8:
Play a leading role in developing University, College and School research strategy, attending and presenting at high profile international conference and taking responsibility for key research activities within subject specialism.
Make a substantial contribution to international and national research developments through committee membership on scholarly and advisory bodies.
Design and deliver a range of courses/modules at all levels, underpinned by research/scholarship. 
Take responsibility for student supervision and supporting/coaching early career staff in the relevant subject area.

Planning and Organising
Organise workload and manage time effectively to undertake all research, teaching and administrative duties and professional activity.
Participate in the planning and implementation of research, teaching and administration at all levels within and beyond the School, including the identification of new initiatives.
Plan, organise, deliver and evaluate learning and teaching activities and carry out assessment at a variety of levels.
Plan and prepare applications for research funding.
Plan and deliver events, e.g., seminars, conferences and knowledge exchange activities.
For Appointment at Grade 8:
Play a leading role in the planning and implementation of research, teaching and administration at all levels within and beyond the School, including the identification of new initiatives.
Undertake management of programmes and courses, as directed by the Head of School and/or the Head of Subject.

Decision Making
Prioritise work in line with agreed Subject/School objectives including assessment processes, course content and committee advice.
Take responsibility for an agreed element of planned research, demonstrating leadership and making decisions on research methodology, submission of grant applications and choice of journals for publication.
Monitor and evaluate the content and delivery of relevant teaching programmes and proactively adapt and innovate teaching to advance learning and the subject area.
Act as first point of contact for enquires from students within the subject area and provide appropriate pastoral care.
For Appointment at Grade 8:
Take responsibility for an agreed research project, demonstrating leadership and making decisions on research methodology, submission of grant applications and choice of journals for publication and supervising members of research team where appropriate.
Decisions on course content, teaching methods, and applications by students; selection and liaison with External Examiners as appropriate.

Internal/External Relationships

Internal:
Exchange relevant information with the Programme Leaders, Undergraduate/Postgraduate Directors, Heads of Subject and other relevant staff to ensure that School strategic objectives are met and that University protocols relating to quality assurance and programme enhancement are enacted.
Develop effective relationships with students and provide advice and support conducive to enhancing their academic engagement and learning, and, where relevant, seek advice from the University’s Student Support Services. 
Develop effective relationships with academic and administrative colleagues in order to facilitate information exchange and to encourage effective research and teaching.
For Appointment at Grade 8:
Develop effective relationships with academic colleagues for advice, providing support and guidance to early career academics as appropriate.

External: 
Interaction with academic colleagues in other Universities (including external examiners) both nationally and internationally, and professional organisations to support exchange and collaboration.
Interaction with knowledge exchange partners both nationally and internationally to support shared collaborative activities
Develop the impact of your work through engagement with policy makers, practitioners and wider organisations
Participate in a range of student recruitment activities and build relationships with prospective students, as appropriate.
Engage with Research Councils, charitable bodies and other external sources of research funding.
For Appointment at Grade 8:
Play a leading role in arranging and participating in student recruitment activities and support early career staff in building relationships with prospective students, as appropriate.

Problem Solving
Propose alternative strategies and negotiate alternative arrangements in overcoming any problems. 
Resolve issues of an academic nature arising in relation to research/teaching.
Provide advice to students and resolve issues or redirect as appropriate in order to provide effective pastoral care.
For Appointment at Grade 8:
Play a leading role in supporting early career staff and in providing pastoral care to students, resolving issues as they arise.

Standard Terms & Conditions

The salary will be on the Research and Teaching Grade 7/8, £35,210 – £39,610/43,266 – £50,132 per annum.

This post is open ended and full time.

The successful applicant will be eligible to join the Universities’ Superannuation Scheme. Further information regarding the scheme is available from the Superannuation Officer, who is also prepared to advise on questions relating to the transfer of Superannuation benefits.

All research and related activities, including grants, donations, clinical trials, contract research, consultancy and commercialisation are required to be managed through the University’s relevant processes (e.g. contractual and financial), in accordance with the University Court’s policies.

Relocation assistance will be provided where appropriate.

New entrants to the University will be required to serve a probationary period of 6 months.

The successful applicant of this post will be enrolled onto the University’s Early Career Development Programme (ECDP). This will provide for you as an early career academic staff member to be developed and supported over a specified timeframe to facilitate the advancement of your academic career. 

Information on the programme can be found on our website at: http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/humanresources/all/pay/ecdp/policy/

Vacancy Reference: 027576; Closing Date: 22 August 2019.

It is the University of Glasgow’s mission to foster an inclusive climate, which ensures equality in our working, learning, research and teaching environment.

We strongly endorse the principles of Athena SWAN, including a supportive and flexible working environment, with commitment from all levels of the organisation in promoting gender equity

The University of Glasgow, charity number SC004401.

CfP: Global Histories of Capital

CALL FOR PAPERS – EXTENDED DEADLINE MAY 1ST

Global Histories of Capital: New Perspectives on the Global South

Department of History, New York University and the Heilbroner Center for Capitalism Studies

The New York University Department of History and the Heilbroner Center for Capitalism Studies at the New School are inviting abstracts for a workshop entitled Global Histories of Capital: New Perspectives on the Global South. We are seeking paper proposals from advanced graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and faculty working broadly on themes related to the history of capitalism, historical political economy, the history of economic life and new materialism. The workshop aims to connect scholars working on topics or countries considered part of the global south, international history and those engaged in comparative historical research.

The conference will take place the weekend of October 7th, 2017 in New York.

Applicants should submit a 250 – 300 word abstract to globalcapitalconference@gmail.com by May 1st, 2017. Suggested themes include but are not limited to:

Built-environments; slavery; labor; internationalisms; gender, gendered labor and unpaid work; concept histories; financialization; agrarian change; radical traditions; state structures; sovereignty; law; commodity histories; environmental historyhistories of economic thought; science, technology and the economy; culture and translation; decolonization; markets and market governance

Workshop Objectives

Our aim is to bring together graduate students working on areas of the non-west, broadly conceived, whose work approaches questions of the economic from political, environmental, intellectual and cultural perspectives. In light of growing interest in the status of the economic to social scientific inquiry — spurred by research programs from the history of capitalism to new materialism — our objective is to foster a critical conversation about how we write such histories from world-regions outside Western Europe and North America. By bringing together scholars of varied regional expertise, we hope we might more precisely reframe the relevance of categories such as the ‘global south’ and ‘non-west’ within their specific relationship to historical processes of globalization and imperialism.

Our emphasis on the ‘global’ nature of this history is not simply to fill-in a preexisting cartography that has been relatively neglected by new histories of capitalism. Rather, we intend to explore how the global emerged as a category under modern capitalism and the different moments in which it has been imagined and redefined, and perhaps misrecognized. Understanding the global spaces of capitalism requires close attention to methodological questions of comparability, scale, historical structure and unevenness. Therefore this workshop intends to group scholars thematically, rather than by region or periodization, in order to develop comparative vocabularies for doing this type of historical work.