2108 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20052

Thursday, September 12, 2024

1624 - The first submarine is tested on the Thames River in London for King James I.

1928 - Katharine Hepburn makes her NYC stage debut in “Night Hostess."

1958 - The Supreme Court orders the all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas to integrate. Resulting in President Eisenhower calling in the U.S. Army to escort the nine African American students.

1992 - Mae Jemison becomes the first African American woman to go into space.

2011 - Beyoncé releases her Grammy Award winning single “Love On Top."

Broken Blades, Angry Fishermen and Rising Costs Slow Offshore Wind. The New York Times.

Profs, pints, politics: GW professor unpacks presidential debates at watch party. GW Hatchet.

Bowser‘s ‘Bait and Switch’ on a Key Homelessness Program Leaves Advocates, Councilmembers Fuming. Washington City Paper.

Photo credit: Benjamin Hanley

This newsletter edition we spotlight Benjamin Hanley, a fourth-year PhD candidate in American Studies. Ben is currently working on his dissertation proposal that examines the Pokémon franchise’s impact on mass culture during the transition from the 20^th to the digitized 21^st century. Prior to their studies at GW, Ben received undergraduate degrees in English-Creative Writing and Sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Ben’s love of Pokémon started at age seven with a copy of the Pokémon Sapphire video game that they “borrowed” from their older brother. He first started researching the franchise in his high school AP English class, and is continuing to explore Pokémon’s cultural relevancy as the highest grossing global media franchise. Ben is especially interested in the longevity of Pokémon as a cultural icon for both children and adults; and how the brand has integrated itself into other facets of life including fashion and tourism. 

One highlight of his dissertation research process was this past June, when Ben traveled to New Orleans to attend the North American International Championship (NAIC) for competitive Pokémon. Outside of their dissertation, Ben’s other research interests include queer and feminist theory, global capitalism, meme culture, and the digital sphere at large. Ben further explored these passions through his previous education, where in addition to his degrees, he received certificates in Gender & Women’s Studies and LGBTQ+ Studies from the UW-Madison.

Outside of their studies, Ben loves to explore D.C. by playing Pokémon Go and hunting for Pokémon on their Nintendo Switch! He is also always going on big adventures with his dog, Stencil, and his fiancé, Gus.

BODY FREEDOM FOR EVERY(BODY)
Public Art Project and Installation

BODY FREEDOM FOR EVERY(BODY) champions bodily autonomy, with a specific emphasis on intersecting themes of Reproductive Justice, Queer Liberation, and Trans Joy through contemporary art. Over 100 artists’ visions are represented in this project: the aim is to reinforce community(ies), create safe spaces, and cultivate joy. This project emerges as a response to a relentless wave of conservatism that continues to politicize queer liberation and restrict reproductive & gender-affirming healthcare. The overarching message of this program is broadening awareness of the right to Safe, Legal, and Accessible healthcare that allows us to live in our power and choice.

When: Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 12-14, 2024
Where: Various locations

Check out our other tour stops and RSVP for future events here.

Register via email at imes@gwu.edu

Prof. Gayle Wald was recently interviewed and featured in The New York Times article How 100-Year-Old Ella Jenkins Revolutionized Children’s Music for her forthcoming biography of the musician Ella Jenkins.

Prof. Libby Anker was quoted by CNN in the article “New polling shows patriotism plummeting ahead of national holiday.”

Prof. Libby Anker was recently interviewed by The New York Times on Doug Emhoff as Cultural Icon.

Prof. Dara Orenstein won a Frederic D. Weinstein Memorial Fellowship in 20th-Century American Literature from the UT-Austin Ransom Center, for her new forthcoming book project, and specifically to work in Don DeLillo's papers.

In May, Prof. Dara Orenstein joined an international architectural-history working group on "The Costs of Architecture."

Alum Ashley Brown (PhD ‘17) received tenure and promoted to Associate Professor & Allan H. Selig Chair in the History of Sport and Society at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Alum Maggie Unverzagt Goodard (MA '14) recently accepted a position with the University of Kansas as an Assistant Professor of Museum Studies.

Call for Applications: The Graham Foundation is currently accepting applications from individuals and collaboratives for the 2025 grant cycle. The first stage inquiry form for 2025 is available online. Click here to learn more // Deadline: Sept. 15, 2024

Call for Applications: American students are invited to take up a research internship in Canada with Fulbright Canada between May and October 2025. Senior undergraduates are encouraged to apply. Click here to learn more // Deadline: Sept. 18, 2024

Call for Papers: The American & New England Studies Graduate Students at Boston University invite graduate students and emerging scholars to contribute to Ampersand: An American Studies Journal. Click here to learn more // Deadline: Sept. 30, 2024

Call for Applications: The Department of History at Creighton University invites applications for a full-time, tenure track Assistant Professor specializing in African and African Diaspora history, with preference given to those who have a special interest (in research and/or teaching) in science, medicine, or legal studies. Click here to learn more // Deadline: Nov. 15, 2024

Call for Papers: Southeast Conference for Languages, Literatures, and Film welcomes papers on all aspects of literature, linguistics, culture, philosophy, cultural history, film, applied linguistics, second language acquisition, and pedagogy pertaining to non-English languages (ancient and modern). Click here to learn more // Deadline: Nov. 15, 2024

Call for Papers: UVA's English Department Graduate Symposium is currently seeking abstracts for their upcoming symposium themed "Space and Place." Click here to learn more // Deadline: Jan. 3, 2025

Call for Applications: The Albert H. Small Center for National Capital Area Studies is currently hiring two student positions to support the exhibition, care, and interpretation of the Washingtoniana collection. Click here and here to learn more // Deadline: rolling basis

Call for Applications: The Cosmos Scholars Prize will support postdoctoral scholars from local universities. The program selects a few outstanding recent scholars who may receive a prize of up to $25,000. Click here to learn more // Deadline: rolling basis

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What We're Listening To:
"Video Killed The Radio Star" - The Buggles
"Killing Me Softly With His Song" - Fugees

Like what you see? Have spotlights, kudos, events, or opportunities that you would like to share? We want to hear from you! Navigate to our feedback form using the link below, or more simply, forward your tip to amst@gwu.edu.