The History and Folklore Section of the AFS invites submissions for the Wayland D. Hand Prize given to an author of an outstanding book in English that combines historical and folkloristic content and perspectives. A work submitted for consideration would have been published between June 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025. The deadline for submission is July 1, 2025.

The final conference of the Swiss project “Claiming Folklore – Politics and Practices of Folk Music on Swiss Television (1960s-1990s)” at the University of Zurich has extended the deadline for presentations on the theme of Media, Modernity, and the Transformation of Tradition(s) – The Role of Audiovisual Media from an International Perspective until April 10, 2025.

The American Folklore Society (AFS) is pleased to announce the election of Dr. Lisa Rathje by the AFS Executive Board to serve as a member of the Board from 2025–27. She brings extensive advocacy and leadership experience in both academic and public sector settings, and knowledge of K-12 education and diverse learning spaces in her work to support folklife education across the U.S. Please join us in welcoming Lisa Rathje to the AFS Executive Board!

Academic and musician Ellen Stekert releases her first independent album, Go Around Songs, Vol. 1, on March 28, 2025. Stekert is a contemporary of Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Dave Van Ronk but eventually chose to pursue academia. She is professor emerita of English and American Studies at the University of Minnesota and served as President of the AFS in 1976–77.

The 2025 National Humanities Conference will be held November 12–16 in Detroit, Michigan. This year’s theme is “Roots of Invention, Innovation, and Revitalization.” The Planning Committee invites proposals for sessions that highlight connections across the humanities and other disciplines and practices. Submissions are due by April 10th at 11:59 p.m. PT.

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