This conference aims to look beyond the well-documented policies of presidents and the State Department to explore the importance in the shaping of US foreign relations of a wide range of ideas, institutions, agencies and individuals. These include US embassies, bureaucracies, NGOs and Congress, American commerce, trade and banking, as well as public opinion, culture, the press and grass-roots activism.

We have deliberately set expansive parameters, both chronological and thematic, in order to attract stimulating contributions from a wide field of research. We hope to receive contributions that will take account of the way in which, in recent years, the influence of transnational historiography has transformed the study of US history. This means that we are keen to receive proposals from postgraduates working in any discipline within the field of American Studies, including history, political science, law, international relations, sociology, and popular culture, amongst others.

The call for papers is specifically for postgraduate panellists, but anyone who is interested is welcome to attend the conference. Anyone wishing to give a twenty minute paper should send a proposal of 250-300 words, together with a brief (maximum two sides of A4 paper) academic CV, by 31st January 2010. Those who simply wish to attend the conference without giving a paper should send their name, institutional affiliation and student status (Master’s, PhD etc.). Both prospective speakers and attendees should send their details to: oxfordmayconference@googlemail.com

Postal applications can be submitted to: Andrew Boxer, Pembroke College, Oxford, OX1 1DW.

For further details please see the conference website: http://www.rai.ox.ac.uk/index.php/community/graduate-community/graduate-conference-2010