Proposals may address, but are not limited to, the national and international legacies of Western colonialism, the course of Africa’s economic and social development, the roots of the continent’s humanitarian emergencies and the historical challenges of promoting public health and eradicating disease.

The Sherman Lecture provides a forum for an outstanding junior scholar (untenured assistant professor or researcher) to offer his or her perspective on a selected topic. The Sherman scholar will meet with undergraduate and graduate students, share his or her expertise with faculty members in history and political science, and be available to the local media. The centerpiece of the scholar’s visit will be the presentation of a major public address, which the university will subsequently publish. Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of scholarly accomplishment, relevance of the proposed talk to the year’s theme and evidence of ability in public speaking before a diverse audience. The scholar will receive an honorarium of $5,000. The lectureship will take place on the UNC Wilmington campus October 14-17, 2008.

Applicants should provide a title and brief description of the lecture they propose to deliver. Please send a letter of interest, current c.v., the names and e-mail addresses of three references and a recent scholarly publication to Dr. Taylor Fain, Department of History, UNC Wilmington, 601 S. College Rd., Wilmington, NC 28403-5957. We also welcome nominations that are accompanied by contact information. The deadline for submission is March 31, 2008. Finalists must be available for telephone interviews before May 31, 2008. UNC Wilmington is an EEO/AA institution.