The Colonial Soceity of Massachusetts is seeking proposals for the Graduate Student Forum to be held in Boston, Massachusetts, 2 May 2003. Proposals are due 14 February 2003.

The purpose of the forum is to provide graduate students preparing dissertations in early American history with an opportunity to discuss their projects with peers and with the Society’s distinguished membership of academics and other history professionals.

Nine students will present and receive comments during the course of the day (3 sessions; 15-minute presentation per student), which will be capped by an address from moderator Bernard Bailyn, Adams University Professor and James Duncan Phillips Professor of Early American History, Emeritus, Harvard University.

The proposal, not to exceed five double-spaced pages, should give a vivid sense of the dissertation project and then highlight a particular dilemma – methodological, conceptual, source-based, etc. – encountered in research or writing. We ask that you outline a problem so that the forum’s audience may be focused in providing constructive advice. Preference will be given to New England topics, but the committee will attempt to achieve a balance in subjects covered.

Funds are available for students’ travel and lodging. Successful candidates will be asked to submit specific requests for funding.