The Open Digital Seminar in Eighteenth-Century Studies (ODSECS) is committed to centring new voices, new approaches, and new topics in eighteenth-century studies, across disciplines. Our virtual spaces—from our online meeting platforms to our website and social media presence—create and support community, connecting scholars from across the globe in an environmentally sustainable way. ODSECS prioritizes anti-racism, gender equality, a decentring of ableism, and an attention to addressing hierarchies within eighteenth-century studies to create a more equitable, safe, and diverse space for current scholarship.
The seminar series seeks to inspire respectful discussion, debate, and actions that will move the field of eighteenth-century studies toward a more inclusive identity. Papers may speak to emerging or recently completed research or pedagogic projects. ODSECS seminars take place live online and are typically recorded to ensure maximum accessibility. In each seminar, a 30- to 40-minute paper delivered by an expert speaker is followed by a 20- to 30-minute question and answer session. All participants are welcome to contribute to the Q&A using a microphone or the typed chat function.
ODSECS is hosted by the Faculty of Arts at the University of Bristol, but it is convened by a Collective of eighteenth-century scholars. Please direct all enquiries to Elaine McGirr.
