The Oral History Association invites proposals for papers and presentations for its 2005 annual meeting to be held November 2-6 at the Providence Marriott, Providence, Rhode Island.

As always, the Program Committee of the OHA welcomes proposals for presentations on a variety of topics. However, in keeping with the historic role of the city of Providence in welcoming religious dissenters, the 2005 Annual Meeting will focus special attention on oral history work with persons who have sought freedom of expression, freedom from coercion, and freedom of conscience. Presentations may deal with religious freedom and the ways people have resisted oppression based on religious identity; or have dissented from the coercive intentions of powerful figures and institutions, religious and secular. We anticipate that the stories of political protestors, labor organizers, and reformers advocating various causes will be an important part of the meeting.

The history of protest is often the history of hopefulness. Thus “voices of hope” will be important as well. Presentations based on interviews with persons who kept hope alive in the face of oppression and deprivation are welcome, as are presentations on other forms of hopefulness. Because oral history often relies on interviews with elderly persons, presentations on the relationship of aging and hope would be of particular interest.

Regional historians and students of New England, Atlantic Coast, and especially Providence history are encouraged to submit proposals, as are those whose work concerns international topics. The committee also invites proposals for presentations that reflect on the process of oral history and the role of theory in its practice. A variety of formats and presentation methods will be welcome, including traditional panels with chair and discussant, workshops, poster sessions, and media and performance-oriented sessions. The committee particularly hopes to build the program around presentations in which the audience may hear recordings of the actual voices of dissent and hope on which research is based.

Proposal format: submit five copies of the proposal. For full sessions, submit a title, a session abstract of not more than two pages, and a one-page vita or resume for each participant. For individual proposals, submit a one-page abstract and a one-page vita or resume of the presenter. Each submission must be accompanied by a cover sheet, which can be printed from the OHA Web site (web address given below).

Proposals must be postmarked by January 15, 2005. They may be submitted by mail or fax. No e-mail attachments will be accepted. Submit proposal directly to the OHA office at the address below.

Queries may be directed to the Program Cochairs (contact information provided below).

Proposals should be sent by January 15, 2005, to: Madelyn Campbell Oral History Association Dickinson College P. O. Box 1773 Carlisle, PA 17013 Telephone (717) 245-1036 Fax: (717) 245-1046 For courier service add: Holland Union Building, College and Louther Streets