The Department of History at Bowling Green State University is pleased to announce it will be holding a National Graduate Student Conference on Policy History, November 9-11, 2001. The theme of the conference is the "The Social Impact of Policy in History." Although the conference focuses on the influence of policy in society, we welcome papers and panels that study other aspects of policy history, as well as papers that examine the theme from different perspectives. These other perspectives may include, but are certainly not limited to, economics, political science, sociology, and American studies. We welcome the submission of individual papers and panels based on original research that address important issues of policy history or policymaking.

The keynote speaker will be Maris Vinovskis of the University of Michigan. Professor Vinovskis holds a number of other important positions at the university as well. He is a Senior Research Scientist at the Center for Political Studies at the Institute for Social Research and a faculty member at the School of Public Policy. As well as, Research Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of Education at the Office of Educational Research and Improvement from 1992-1993, and has published a number of books and articles on the history of education and education policy in the United States. Yale University Press published his latest work, History and Educational Policymaking, in 1999. The conference will also hold a special roundtable discussion entitled "What is Policy History." Panelists include Gary Hess of Bowling Green State University, Steven Schlossman of Carnegie Mellon University, and Jane De Hart of the University of California at Santa Barbara.

Each session will last 2 hours and papers should be approximately 25-30 minutes in length. Those interested in presenting papers should send a one-page abstract and a short c.v. Students proposing panels should submit a three-page abstract outlining the focus and purpose of the panel and a short c.v. for all panel members. The deadline for proposals is July 1, 2001. Those interested in chairing or commenting on a session should send a c.v. and indicate areas of expertise. Participants will be notified of acceptance by September 1, 2001.