Why Call for Regional Networks & Working Groups?
SHCY regional networks or field-specific working-groups are a means for researchers to engage in long-term projects under SHCY auspices with a defined focus or approach to the historical study of childhood and youth. They may be defined geographically, by nation states, by languages; by various groups, institutions, or discourses (girlhood, education, race, psychology, etc.); by conceptual or methodological focal points (popular culture, social movements, governmentality, demography, oral history, etc.); or by period (early-modern, Victorian, post-WWII, etc.).
We hope member-created networks and working-groups will allow scholars to create spaces for their extraordinarily diverse interests at our conferences, within our journal, and through other activities. If members develop them avidly, they may enhance the relevance of our events and publications for specific regional and field connections and collaborations, while maintaining the Society’s commitment to serve as a larger umbrella for international, interdisciplinary exchanges in the history of childhood and youth.
What Benefits Might Networks & Working Groups Provide?
SHCY regional networks or SHCY field-specific working-groups will receive priority treatment when establishing roundtable, panels, or other sessions at our biennial conferences. They will have access to SHCY website for posting content (a website that receives many thousands of discrete visitors each month). Such groups and networks may propose special issues for the Journal of the History of Childhood and Youth. Recognition as a standing network or working group may help our members work collaboratively to win grants, hold regional or topically specific colloquium, produce edited collections, and even advance academic programming in the study of childhood and youth at our Universities and Colleges.
What's the Process for Starting a SHCY Network or Working Group?
Step 1: Discuss your idea and gather interest with colleagues in your regional, topical, period, or theoretical area. Read the relevant SHCY by-law (Article V) below and at http://shcyhome.org/about/
Step 2: Come up with a name, a chair or co-chairs, produce a statement of purpose for your network or working-group. Gather c.v.’s and consider immediate steps or activities you would like to do together.
Step 3: Send to SHCY President your statement of purpose, name the chair or co-chair with a 300-500 word prospectus about your plans. Proposals should include the c.v.’s of 3 to 5 colleagues committed to the project, but may name other interested scholars.
Step 4: SHCY President will present proposals for regional networks or area working-groups to the Executive Committee for evaluation; and will communicate the Executive’s response back to the applicants.
Step 5: Once approved, begin working and producing scholarly goods in collaboration with others. Continue to consult with SHCY officers and conference organizers.
Sincerely Yours,
Patrick Ryan
SHCY President
pryan2@uwo.ca
Relevant SHCY By-Law:
Article V
Section 1: Any SHCY member may propose for approval by SHCY Executive Committee a standing working-group or regional network of the Society.
Section 2: SHCY working groups and regional networks would report to SHCY Executive Committee, and will share the following features:
A – a chair or co-chairs.
B – a statement of purpose.
Section 3: Participation in the working-groups’ or networks’ activities ordinarily will require SHCY membership. Specific practices will be developed in consultation with the Executive Committee.
Section 4: Funds raised by the working-groups or networks (outside of SHCY membership) will be accounted for, dispensed, and held by the groups or networks.