WORKSHOP - Using Lives: A Postgraduate Workshop in Biography (8-12 Sept 2008; Canberra) Deadline: 15 June 2008

Using Lives: a postgraduate workshop in biography

Are you working on a thesis that is biographical in theme or approach, or draws upon biographical methods? If so, this workshop is for you.

The ANU’s Australian Dictionary of Biography, History Program RSSS, ANU and Humanities Research Centre, at the Research School of Humanities, ANU and the National Museum of Australia’s Centre for Historical Research are convening the third ‘Using Lives’ postgraduate workshop, to be held in Canberra on 8-12 September 2008. Applications are invited to participate.

Biography and ‘life writing’ figure increasingly prominently in humanities and social science research, expanding in accessibility and innovation by adapting to new technologies, exploring new materials and perspectives, and advancing new agendas. This workshop will provide a forum in which postgraduate students from around Australia can discuss aspects of this ‘biographical turn’ in relation to their work. We will

1. generate reflection and debate on issues of biographical enquiry;
2. enable students to develop networks to assist in their research and professional development;
3. explore opportunities for the presentation of biographically-informed work

The workshop will consist of morning sessions, led by experts in areas related to these overall objectives, and afternoon sessions, in which students will present their research for discussion. The workshop is also integrated with the Seymour Lecture in Biography at the National Library of Australia. Workshop speakers will include: Mary Besemeres, Desley Deacon, Richard Holmes, Sophie Jensen, Ross McMullin, Melanie Nolan, Mark Peel, Paul Pickering, Peter Read, Peter Stanley and Carolyn Strange.

Successful applicants will have their accommodation provided if traveling to Canberra but must arrange for their own transport.

Applications should take the form of a summary of your research and the stage you are at in preparing your thesis, and an endorsement from your head of department. These applications should be sent by 13 June 2008 to: Nicholas Brown, History Program, Research School and Social Sciences, Australian National University, ANU, ACT, 0200; or to Nicholas.brown@anu.edu.au