Postgraduates in French Studies are encouraged to submit papers for the 2017 ASFS/AJFS Postgraduate prize. The best essay will receive a prize of $500 and will be published in AJFS in the twelve months (or so) following this year’s conference in Canberra. Applicants must be enrolled in a research higher degree at an Australian university and have a current membership of ASFS. Articles may be written in English or French and must be presented according to AJFS style guidelines (see the AJFS website at www.liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk). Essays should be in an area of French or Francophone Studies and be between 4000 and 6000 words. For more details including eligibility requirements, check the ASFS website. This year’s deadline is Friday, 27 October 2017.
Submissions should be sent to Postgraduate Officer, Dr Gemma King at Gemma.King@anu.edu.au
Previous essay prize winners:
- 2016 Sarah Martin, “Carrying Across, But Only So Far: Reflections on Translational Visibility, Selectivity, and Canonicity”
- 2015 Kim Hajek, “‘Je lis ça comme je lirais un roman’: Reading Scientific Works on Hypnotism in Late Nineteenth-Century France”
We had some memorable keynote addresses from Liverpool’s Professor Charles Forsdick, who was, alongside Nottingham’s Emeritus Professor Nick Hewitt, ever-present throughout the event, giving advice, asking questions and generally effusing bonhomie, from our own ASFS Vice-President, Professor Véronique Duché, whose research perfectly captured the conference theme of Mobilities and Migrations, and from Iowa’s Professor Stephen Ungar, whose delightful presentation of what he called a Proustian Cinema capped off some wonderful discussions of film at the conference (indeed, I was struck by the depth that ASFS now has in this area). It was good to see all our overseas visitors stay until the very last, which may have had something to do with the wine-tasting organised and presented by Jackie Dutton (who else?) and Amie Sexton (and paid for by ASFS — and why not?). Thanks to Jackie and Amie for this concept, and to Natalie and Chris for cellaring and transporting (and not drinking) the wine before the event.
The last three things I want to single out from the conference cover the ASFS spectrum. First, it was encouraging to see such a strong HDR presence at the conference, and especially so many students from Melbourne. I attended as many presentations as I could and was impressed as ever by the quality on display (I have since even cited Françoise Campbell’s paper!). From the strong presence of HDRs we moved seamlessly, albeit over various gangplanks, to the strongly maritime presence of Adelaide’s own Professor John West-Sooby who, as Natalie has since pointed out, became the first ASFS speaker to deliver his lecture on board ship, with his slides billowing, as it were, in the sails. John’s presentation at the SA Maritime Museum and the exhibition “The Art of Science: Baudin’s Voyagers 1800-1804” were amazing, both for their quality and humour, but also because of the enormous amount of work that they represented. Lastly, I wanted to thank the New Zealand contingent, and especially Canterbury’s Antonio Viselli, who actually (and in front of witnesses) offered to host ASFS in New Zealand in the future. Despite, or because of, the fact that this offer came at a time when wine was flowing, it was genuine food for thought.
And, of course, thanks to all of you for your continued support. By attending the conference and joining us to share ideas, discuss common problems and plan collaborative ventures, you all help to make French Studies in Australia a culture that continues to draw in and impress scholars and friends from overseas.