The Women’s Studies Group 1558-1837 is a small, informal, multidisciplinary group formed to promote women’s studies in the early modern period and the long eighteenth century. Established in the 1980s, the group has enabled those interested in women’s and gender studies to keep in touch, hear about one another’s research, meetings and publications, and meet regularly to discuss relevant topics. We organize regular meetings and an annual workshop (see membership application form) where members can meet and discuss women’s studies topics. We can also offer advice and opportunities to engage in activities that increase opportunities for publication, or enhance professional profiles in other ways. The WSG is open to men, women, and non-binary people, students, faculty, and independent scholars, all of whom are invited to join the group and give papers.

The group now has two kinds of meeting.

In-person meetings. These will take place at the Foundling Museum, 40 Brunswick Square, WC1N 1AZ, UK, on Saturday afternoons. We will be allowed into the room at 13:00, to give us time to sort out paperwork and technology, but sessions will run from 13:30 – 16:30. Please arrive a little early if you can. Please note the 7 October 2023 seminar is BST (GMT +1), whilst all other seminar are Greenwich Mean Time.

ZOOM meetings. These will take place on Thursday evenings and will be hosted by a member of the WSG committee. They will run from 19:00 with the waiting room opening at 18:45 (Greenwich Mean Time for all meetings).

Topics can be related to any aspect of women’s studies: not only women writers, but any activity of a woman or women in the period of our concern, or anything that affects or is affected by women in this period, such as the law, religion, etc. Male writers writing about women or male historical figures relevant to the condition of women in this period are also a potential topic. Papers tackling aspects of women’s studies within or alongside the wider histories of gender and sexuality are particularly welcome; so are topics from the early part of our period. We would also welcome how-to presentations for discussion: examples of suitable topics would include, but are not limited to, grant applications, setting up research networks, becoming a curator, co-authorship, using specialised data, and writing about images. Papers should be 20-25 minutes.

Dates of meetings:

Saturday  7 October 2023  In-person Seminar starts 13:30 BST (GMT +1)

Thursday 2 November 2023 via ZOOM Seminar starts 19:00 (GMT)

Saturday 2 December 2023  In-person Seminar starts 13:30 (GMT)

Thursday  11 January 2024  via ZOOM Seminar starts 19:00 (GMT)

Saturday 3 February 2024    In-person Seminar starts 13:30 (GMT)

Thursday 7 March 2024 via ZOOM Seminar starts 19:00 (GMT)

Find out more about us on https://womensstudiesgroup.org

Please reply to Carolyn D. Williams on cdwilliamslyle@aol.com