This experimental session will feature three-minute presentations by historians describing their dissertation research. People interested in being panelists should contact zjackson@historians.org to register, and audience members will be invited to join the lightning round during the session.
Session Abstract
In order to highlight the range of new research by graduate students and to encourage students to practice explaining their work to other historians as well as non-specialists, the AHA Research Division has organized a dissertation lightning round.
The session will build on the success of previous lightning rounds as well as intersect with the AHA's Career Diversity for Historians initiative, which emphasizes the importance of communicating ideas as a skill that is important for the careers of history PhDs inside and outside the academy.
We will organize some presenters ahead of the meeting, as well as recruit an appropriate emcee for the session. We will also retain open slots for presenters to allow and encourage graduate students to nominate themselves to participate.