2027 AGM Call for Papers
Jane Austen Society of North America
AGM 2027
St. Louis, Missouri
Through this Call for Papers, the Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA) invites submission of proposals for breakout sessions and applications for the New Voices Breakout Speaker Grant at the 2027 JASNA Annual General Meeting (AGM), October 21 - 24, 2027, in St. Louis, Missouri.
2027 AGM Theme: Meet Emma at the Arch
Submission Deadline: November 15, 2026
"Seldom, very seldom, does complete truth belong to any human disclosure; seldom can it happen that something is not a little disguised, or a little mistaken; . . ."
—Emma
What kinds of proposals are invited? This Call for Papers is for traditional presentations (or panels, facilitated discussions, or other types of talks) that relate directly to the conference theme (Emma). To find out how to submit proposals for workshops, performances, and talks not on the conference theme, please email jasna2027agm@gmail.com.
Who can propose? Anyone—see the General Guidelines and Requirements below.
What is the deadline? November 15, 2026
How should the proposal be submitted? Proposals are submitted through an online form. (A link to the form will be added here soon.) Be sure to read thoroughly the theme description and guidelines on this page.
In her masterpiece Emma, Jane Austen explores multiple journeys of self-discovery and transformation in the quiet village of Highbury. In the process, Austen produces her study of social class and social interactions among its people. Her longest novel remains a wellspring of thought and amusement two centuries after its composition. The complicated characters and relationships introduced in her novel afford fertile ground for exploration during the 2027 AGM in St. Louis, Missouri.
Austen centers her narratives around Emma, the most flawed and least likable of her heroines, as Austen herself said. Austen applies her skills to trace Emma’s journey of self-discovery and transformation, with sharp humor and perception, while closely exploring the personalities and relationships of a dozen characters gathered in the small community of Highbury. Jane Austen thereby illuminates her world, as well as our own.
You are cordially invited to submit breakout session proposals for JASNA’s 2027 Annual General Meeting in St. Louis, Missouri, October 21-24, 2027, on the theme “Meet Emma at the Arch.”
Specific areas to explore may include, but are by no means limited to:
- Secrets, mysteries, and confidences in Emma
- Faults, self-discovery, and transformation in Emma
- Entertainments in Emma: Music, dance, art, or games
- Hypocrisy, satire, and humor in Highbury
- Wealth, status, class, and property in Emma
- Manly duty and masculinity in Regency society
- Authorial experimentation in Emma
- Context for the novel’s composition
Successful proposals will engage primarily with the novel Emma–the text and Austen’s creation of this work–rather than with more general topics relating to Jane Austen’s world. Proposals related to the treatment of Emma by later writers, filmmakers, and others are also welcome.
General Guidelines and Requirements
Every year, JASNA selects intriguing speakers from academia and a wide variety of other backgrounds. As the AGM is JASNA's premier event, the selection committee seeks speakers who not only have demonstrated expertise in their subject areas, but have experience presenting their findings in a lively and engaging manner. All breakout speakers must be members of JASNA in good standing at the time of AGM registration, but JASNA membership is not required to submit a proposal.
Each year, one first-time AGM speaker is recognized as the AGM New Voices Breakout Speaker, garnering a complimentary AGM registration and travel grant. The New Voices application consists of a presentation proposal and a brief speaker biography, as well as a short personal statement describing how the applicant’s selection would support JASNA’s diversity goals.
An audiovisual setup (microphone, projector, and screen; additional equipment may be available upon request) will be provided. Presenters are strongly encouraged to use visuals and to prepare notes or a script designed specifically for delivery to a live audience.
Sessions will be 45 minutes each, including 30-35 minutes of actual presentation time, a brief introduction of the speaker, and a question and answer period. The selection committee is open to a variety of formats: traditional presentations, panels, debates, moderated discussions, and others may be proposed. Presenters may be asked to consider forming panels if their topics are compatible.
All AGM presentations must consist of original, unpublished material.
AGM Speakers are required to prepare both an oral presentation (including projected visuals in most cases) suitable for delivery to a large audience, and an essay version of their presentation (generally 4,000 words) for submission to JASNA's journals, Persuasions and Persuasions On-Line. AGM essays appearing in JASNA's journals make speakers' ideas available to the thousands of JASNA members who cannot attend the AGM, as well as giving speakers the opportunity to communicate in greater detail than can be accomplished in a 35-minute verbal presentation.
Each breakout speaker shall prepare an essay version of their presentation, and submit it to the Persuasions Editor no later than August 1, 2027 (before the 2027 AGM) for consideration for publication in JASNA's journals, Persuasions and Persuasions On-Line. Presenters whose essays are accepted for publication will sign a separate agreement with the Editor.
More information about expectations, as well as presentation tips and sample proposals are available from the JASNA VP for Conferences, Jane Boltz, jasna2027agm@gmail.com.
