American Association for Italian Studies: "Missing Manuscripts: How to 'Read' What’s No Longer There"

Much of history writing and researching is made up of reading between the lines, seeking sources beyond the obvious, and engaging in creative problem-solving when one does not find exactly what they are seeking. Even in Italy, where archives are plentiful and documentation on the private and public level is so well kept, the researcher still butts up against missing information or permanently lost records. This session seeks papers regarding courageous archival sleuthing and examples of investigative flexibility. It seeks stories that illustrate the vicissitudes of archival research and the determination of the researcher. It asks the question of what we do when we don’t find what we’re looking for and where that path can lead instead. And it seeks proposals for papers that reckon with the loss of key documents while still offering a way forward on a project. This call for papers is broad and open to any time period and field linked with Italian Studies.

Please submit proposals of up 150-200 words and a brief bio to Pierette Kulpa, kulpakutztown.edu, by December 1, 2023.