Northern Plains Conference on Early British Literature
Call for Papers
11-12 April 2025
The thirty-second Northern Plains Conference on Early British Literature will take place on the campus of Northern State University, Aberdeen, South Dakota, from 11-12 April 2025.
This annual event affords an opportunity for faculty, graduate students, and independent scholars to share their works in progress on any aspect of British literary culture from its beginnings through 1800 and to do so in a collegial atmosphere.
All topics within this timeframe related to the origins, the teaching, and the dissemination of the literary arts are welcome.
Keynote
In conjunction with the conference, the NPCEBL and the NSU Theater Department will host presentations by Tim Mooney, author/adaptor of the award-winning “Breakneck Shakespeare” plays. Mooney will perform Breakneck Hamlet and Shakespeare’s Histories: Ten Epic Plays at a Breakneck Pace! He'll also be the keynote speaker for the conference.
Proposals
Please submit a one-page (250-word) proposal for maximum 20-minute paper by 1 March 2025. It can be emailed to patrick.whiteley@northern.edu.
While most sessions will be in-person, a small number of virtual presentation slots are available. If interested in presenting virtually, please contact the email above regarding availability." Inquiries may be sent to the same address.
Registration
Please register through this link:
https://northern.formstack.com/forms/early_british_literature_conference
Future Conference Locations
2025 - Northern State University, Aberdeen, SD
Conference Chair: Peter Ramey
2026 - Minot State University, Minot, ND
Conference Chair: Amanda Watts
2027 - Brandon University, Brandon, Manitoba
Conference Chair: Deanna Smid
Since 1993, the NPCEBL has enjoyed a tradition of convivial, stimulating conferences which focus on teaching and scholarship from the beginnings of British Literature through 1800.
Presentations may be on any topic related to early British literature, including modern reception, medievalisms, pedagogy, and the like. We consider early British literature to be inclusive of literatures not in English, those in colonized locations, those created by ex-patriots, and those related to Britain. “Early” includes the origins through the long 18th century. And finally, we welcome all Humanities disciplines to our table, not just languages and literature.