Conferences

The SEA hosts and sponsors annual conferences. In odd-numbered years, the Society hosts an open-topic general conference known as the Biennial Conference. In even-numbered years, it may sponsor Special Topics conferences and workshops. The SEA also sponsors panels at our affiliated societies: the American Literature Association & the American Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies. For more information about the SEA’s Upcoming and Past Conferences, please see “Read More” below. The SEA welcomes applications for seed grants to support biennial topical conferences (usually to take place in the spring or summer of even-numbered years) and workshops (to take place annually, usually in the fall), for more information, please see: SEA Grants for Topical Conferences and Workshops.

What's New/Announcements

SEA Essay Contest Deadline Extended to February 6 January 15, 2026

The deadline for submission to the Biennial Essay Competition has been extended to February 6, 2026. Please s...

Call for Panel Stream Proposals for 2027 Conference January 7, 2026

The Society of Early Americanists seeks proposals for panel streams for the 2027 biennial conference, to be he...

2027 Common Reading Initiative Call for Nominations December 11, 2025

The Society of Early Americanists seeks proposals for the 2027 Common Reading Initiative. Begun in 2021, the C...

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