The Women’s Studies Group 1558-1837 is a small, informal, multidisciplinary group formed to promote women’s studies in the early modern period and the long eighteenth century. Established in the 1980s, the group has enabled those interested in women’s and gender studies to keep in touch, hear about one another’s research, meetings and publications, and meet regularly to discuss relevant topics. We organize regular meetings and an annual workshop (see membership application form) where members can meet and discuss women’s studies topics. We can offer advice and opportunities to engage in activities that increase opportunities for publication or enhance professional profiles in other ways. WSG is open to men, women, and non-binary people, students, faculty, and independent scholars, all of whom are invited to join the group and give papers.
The group now has two kinds of meetings for seminars:
In-person seminar meetings. At the Foundling Museum, 40 Brunswick Square, WC1N 1AZ, UK, on Saturday afternoons. The room opens at 1.00 pm., to give us time to sort out paperwork and technology, but sessions will run from 1.30 – 4.30 pm. So please arrive early if you can.
Postgraduate/unwaged/independent speakers at the in-person events can claim travel expenses (national only).
ZOOM seminar meetings. Thursday evenings, hosted by a WSG committee member. They will run from 19:00 – 20:30 GMT, with the waiting room opening at 18.45 GMT.
Topics can be related to any aspect of women’s studies: not only women writers, but any activity of a woman or women in the period of our concern, or anything that affects or is affected by women in this period, such as the law, religion, etc. Male writers writing about women or male historical figures relevant to the condition of women in this period are also a potential topic. Papers tackling aspects of women’s studies within or alongside the wider histories of gender and sexuality are particularly welcome; so are topics from the early part of our period. We would also welcome how-to presentations for discussion: examples of suitable topics would include, but are not limited to, grant applications, setting up research networks, becoming a curator, co-authorship, using specialised data, and writing about images. Papers should be 20-25 minutes.
Dates of seminar meetings:
Saturday 17 October 2026 In-person, Foundling Museum London 13:00 for 13:30 – 16:30, British Summer Time (GMT +1)
Thursday 12 November 2026 ZOOM 19:00 – 20:30 (GMT)
Thursday 17 December 2026 ZOOM 19:00 – 20:30 (GMT)
Saturday 16 January 2027 In-person, Foundling Museum London 13:00 for 13:30 – 16:30 (GMT)
Thursday 11 February 2027 ZOOM 19:00 – 20:30 (GMT)
Saturday 20 March 2027 In-person, Foundling Museum London 13:00 for 13:30 – 16:30 (GMT)
Thursday 29 April 2027 ZOOM 19:00 – 20:30, (British Summer Time (GMT + 1)
Find out more about us on https://womensstudiesgroup.org
Please reply to 2wsgevents@gmail.com and cdwilliamslyle@aol.com with expressions of interest and draft titles, listing all the seminar sessions when you could present your paper by 31 May 2026. Final titles and abstracts will be expected to follow by the end of June 2026.
Women's Studies Group 1558 - 1837 