2021 CONFERENCE GENERAL

The conference took place virtually from May 28 to June 6, 2021. 

The AAIS invited members to organize sessions and roundtables that approach Italian Studies through interdisciplinary lenses and represent a wide range of interests and time periods. We encourage participation from colleagues working in, for example

- African and African American studies    
- anthropology
- art & architecture    
- classics
- comparative studies    
- critical race studies
- East Asia and South Asian studies    
- environmental humanities
- film and media    
- geography
- history    
- migrations studies
- mobilities studies    
- music
- theater    
- queer studies
- women’s, feminist, & gender studies     


In recognition of the format, we welcome exploration of intersections between Italian Studies and the digital humanities. Further, linking to the Association’s efforts to adopt a greater pro-active position regarding racial injustice, we particularly welcome interventions that address questions of antiracism and decoloniality.


Calls for all proposed panels will be listed in the weekly Newsletter on a rolling basis and posted to the CFPs section of the Association’s Forums.

The virtual platform and longer conference time frame also provide space for

  • convening Italian Studies organizations from different countries
  • bringing together editors of IS journals
  • discussion of the diversity audit/survey and town hall format gatherings
  • a day devoted to the “early scholar program”, for pre-prospectus graduate students with related mentorship workshop


The platform, with the conference’s longer duration, also provides

  • multiple points of access and levels of engagement
  • affordable registration fee
  • alternations between in-depth discussion of pre-recorded presentations and live events
  • the possibility to “attend” more than once conference at the same time

Please see the virtual conference page for details on the format.

While we regret we must postpone until 2022 our next in-person gathering, we nonetheless look forward to the robust offerings that a virtual platform promises, including expanded in-conference workshops. Beyond traditional presentations and intellectual exchange, we look forward to a series of virtual coffees, roundtables and keynote activities.

Registration rates

$40 early bird (registration by April 1)

$50 regular (registration up until conference start)

$25 graduate students and contingent faculty

Acceptance notifications will be sent out by March 1, 2021.