I'm old enough to remember when the crypto-bros were telling everyone that we should put our medial records, driving license, passports and other sensitive documents on the hilariously inept, wasteful and insecure blockchain.
Such innocent times.
What are the causes of the descent into – or resurgence of – political violence in the US?
In two weeks, the America Now! series returns to address the bloody history, legacy, & present-day manifestation of violence directed against & by the state.
buff.ly/xzEfFnE
Wed 25th March, British Library
‼️ BAAS and the Journal of American Studies are pleased to announce that they will be recruiting for the following roles at JAS in Summer 2026, for start dates of 2 January 2027.
Learn more about the roles here:
The BAAS website has been updated with news of a whole host of new books in American Studies 📚
Calling postgraduates - You have until 16th January to submit your entry for the Ellen Craft Essay Prize. SASA offers the prize to encourage the study of marginalised voices. First-place will receive a cash prize & invitation to the March conference.
How to submit:
The 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the event that arguably spawned the Constitution and the principles held with it, is going to be a very fraught time for all of us.
I can't imagine how Madison and Hamilton would feel that their eloquent and reasonable arguments about how the executive branch should be, must be, contained by the legislative and judicial branches...
...Only for that entire system to fall apart so completely in so short a time.
There is something painfully/darkly ironic about preparing to edit an entire chapter about the US Constitution and the Federalist Papers, just as the Constitution is being torn up before our very eyes.
⚠️ Today is the deadline to share your proposals for BAAS 2026 ⚠️
Don't miss your opportunity to join us in Glasgow to present your research & discover the most exciting conversations in American Studies.
We are now just *one week* away from the closing date for the BAAS Awards.
Click here to learn if you are eligible for any of the awards - buff.ly/EPsM0Ww
Deadline: 17th December
Did you know? The BAAS Development Fund offers up to £2,000 for activities, such as:
- Conferences & events
- Workshops & reading groups
- Diversity & inclusion initiatives
Apply today:
'At the core of our mission is the principle that the UK should be a country where access to free and open discussion of US policy, both domestic and foreign should be available to members without impediment or fear of reprisal.'
Read our Statement on Academic Freedom here:
BAAS invites scholars in any field of American Studies to apply for grants of up to two years in duration. Grants may be requested for up to a maximum of £2000 for a range of American Studies academic activities.
Please note, from 2026, earlier submission deadlines are in place.
Thank you to everyone who attended the BAAS PG Symposium today, including our wonderful speakers! It was great to meet everyone and listen to all the amazing research taking place within the community!
See you all at Glasgow!
Politics! Literature! Music! Equality and Inequality!
Lunch!
All this and more here at the @officialbaas.bsky.social PG Symposium 2025!
Today's the day. You can join us in-person or online for our Postgraduate Symposium, beginning at 9am!
Our Postgraduate Symposium, on the unequal struggle for equality and rights in America, is this Wednesday!
Tickets are still available here:
There are still tickets available for our PG Symposium which is happening TOMORROW!
Check the link below for more information and grab your tickets before they're gone!
There are still tickets available for our PG Symposium which is happening TOMORROW!
Check the link below for more information and grab your tickets before they're gone!
I'd argue that Emperor's New Groove is probably the funniest Disney movie of the bunch.
Pixar, touch choice, but Finding Nemo references abound in my house so I'll say that.
The BAAS PG Symposium is happening THIS WEEK! Just 2 days to book your spot!
Get your tickets now while they're still there to get!
Check the @officialbaas.bsky.social link below for more details!
See you soon!
baas.ac.uk/news-and-eve...
It is a sobering thought to realize that we're watching the leaders of American universities determine whether critical thinking-- and by extension, the #humanities --are still worthwhile investments.
There's still time to sign up for the BAAS PG Symposium next Wednesday.
Don't miss out! There's so much to experience!
⚠️ There are now less than 2 weeks until our 2025 Postgraduate Symposium ⚠️
The event, titled '"The people favored and the people oppressed": The Unequal Struggle for Equality and Rights in America', will take place on 26th November in Middlesbrough & online.
Sign up now:
Ah, that old chestnut popping up again, huh?
Don't engage. Just block. They want to push their rage bait on here. Don't give them the satisfaction.
bsky.app/profile/did:...
This Thursday, America Now! continues...
The session looks at various representations of Americans in other countries, & how those trips have defined America as much as they have international locales.
25 September, 6:30pm @ British Library
A billionaire could seed 50-70 local papers around the country, paying 8-10 journalists at each to cover mostly high school sports and the school board and then write op-eds with a firm liberal slant. Put it all online, don’t charge readers anything, there’s a huge audience for this everywhere
Since this whole debate is still happening, and since we are still not listening I will summarize what I understand the argument to be in the Lingua Franca of white nerds: Lord of the Rings analogies.
