Watson Conference Update

The first Thomas R. Watson Conference on Rhetoric and Composition took place in 1996. Since that time it has been our pleasure and privilege to host the conference every two years and gratifying to see it offer an opportunity for scholars from across our discipline to gather and exchange ideas about significant issues and current research. The Watson Endowment funds the conference in even-numbered years and a visiting professor in odd-numbered years. The Thomas R. Watson Endowment is sound and fully supported by the UofL English Department. This semester, our graduate students are fortunate to be able to learn from our current visiting Watson Professor, Dr. Gesa E. Kirsch.

During the past two decades, however, there have been changes in organizational structures and forms of support from the larger University that have made it increasingly difficult to organize a conference of this size effectively. Given these developments, we have decided not to hold the 2020 conference in the form it has followed in recent years and are not accepting proposals. We have decided, as a faculty, that this is an appropriate time for us to reflect on the mission of the conference and, perhaps, rethink its structure going forward. These efforts may include a small planning symposium or conference next year to gather ideas and responses from colleagues in the field.

We want to express our gratitude for the support of all our friends and colleagues who have attended the Watson Conference over the years. We look forward to working with you again in the near future.

University of Louisville Rhetoric and Composition Faculty