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Annual Conference

The Barnes Conference is one of the largest and longest running graduate student conferences in the region, drawing participants from across the nation and around the world.

The James A. Barnes Club, Temple University’s graduate student history organization, is pleased to announce the 30th Annual Barnes Club Graduate Student History Conference.

The Barnes Conference will be held Friday evening March 14th and Saturday March 15th, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Temple University’s Center City Campus in downtown Philadelphia. The Barnes Club Conference is one of the largest and most prestigious graduate student conferences in the region, drawing participants from across the nation and around the world.

Proposals from students for individual papers or panels are welcome on any topic, time period, or approach to history. We welcome proposals that foreground public history and digital humanities, and are eager to work with applicants in these fields to facilitate their participation. Panels will include three or four paper presentations, running between fifteen and twenty minutes each, with comments and questions to follow.

Abstract proposals were due on Friday January 17th. Final conference papers are due by Friday, February 28, 2025 if you wish to be considered for the awards, and Monday, March 11, 2024 is the final deadline for all other paper submissions. Papers should be no more than 15 double-spaced pages (excluding end notes).

At the conclusion of the conference, cash prizes will be awarded to the best papers in multiple scholarly categories. Of particular note is the Russell F. Weigley – U.S. Army Heritage Center Foundation Award, a substantial award offered through the U.S. Army Heritage Center to the best paper in military history presented at the conference. We will also be presenting awards to the two best papers in American and World history. This committee is also proud to introduce the inaugural Undergraduate Scholar Award offered to the best paper or poster presented by an undergraduate student at the conference, and the Public History Scholar Award which will be presented to the best project or paper centered around public or digital history.

The registration fee is $50 for presenters. A continental breakfast, lunch, and pre- and post-conference receptions are included. Registration is free for all Barnes Club Members.
If you have any questions, please email: jabconf@temple.edu 

The Barnes Conference is made possible by the following sponsors:

Temple University’s History Department

The Center for the Study of Force and Diplomacy at Temple University

The Feinstein Center for American Jewish History at Temple University

Society for Military History