09/17/2025
SAVE THE DATE📆
Due to scheduling conflicts, the 2026 GAAAH Conference has been moved to February 25-27th.
More information:
Roots and Routes: African Heritage and the Diasporic Journey
In the wake of the numerous attacks on African American History, the Graduate Association for African American History (GAAAH) invites scholars, practitioners, and activists to delve deeply into the complexities of memory and legacy within African American history. The narratives surrounding this rich history are often multifaceted and contested, influenced by a range of perspectives and experiences. The 2026 GAAAH Conference will take place on February 25-27, 2026, at the University ofMemphis Maxine A. Smith University Center and will have the theme of Roots and Routes: African Heritage and the Diasporic Journey.
Proposal Guidelines:
We invite graduate and undergraduate students at all levels to submit proposals. We welcome the submission of individual papers, complete sessions, workshops, and roundtables on interdisciplinary topics relating to the scholarship and teaching of the history of black people throughout the African Diaspora. We hope to present a broad range of disciplinary and methodological approaches.
The individual paper proposals should include a 300-word abstract, including a paper title; author contact information; postal address and e-mail address; and brief curriculum vitae.
The organizers of complete sessions should send, in a single submission, abstracts and CV s for each of the paper presenters; 200-word description of the session; and contact information for all participants. Please list audio-visual requirements, if any.
Deadlines:
The submission deadline for proposals is Monday, January 5, 2026.
Participants will be notified of acceptance by Friday, January 9, 2026.
Completed 10-12 page papers must be received no later than Friday, January 30, 2026.
Memphis State Eight Paper Prize:
Graduate Papers submitted by January 1, 2026 will be evaluated by a committee of University ofMemphis professors for the Memphis State Eight Paper Prize, which is awarded to the conference's best paper. The :first-place prize includes a monetary award. Second and third place papers will also receive monetary prizes.
Contact Information:
Please submit all proposals by e-mail to GAAAH ([email protected])
For questions, please e-mail our president Savannah Jackson-Cornell: ([email protected]) or contact GAAAH faculty advisor Dr. Brian Kwoba: ([email protected])