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Call for Nominations for the 2026 Election of the Executive Steering Committee of the British Association for Modernist Studies (BAMS)

There are 5 vacant senior positions on the Committee. The Committee is also able to co-opt members if appropriate. We would be delighted to hear from colleagues who might broaden the representation of the BAMS Committee either in terms of discipline or identity. We currently also have two open positions for postgraduate representatives (see below).

Nominations will be accepted up to 9am (GMT) on 30 January 2026, and the online election will take place 2-14 February 2026.

Executive Steering Committee

Nominees for membership of the steering committee will ideally be in academic posts, as members are expected to take a turn in hosting the annual postgraduate symposium, and to fund their attendance at BAMS events (financial support is provided for postgraduate representatives only). Members of the steering committee attend two online committee meetings a year, organise an annual postgraduate training symposium, operate membership of the association, maintain and develop BAMS’s online presence, support existing modernist programmes and events (such as the several modernism centres and seminars) and generally promote modernist activity in Britain.

BAMS especially welcomes nominations from members of the global majority (people of African, Asian, indigenous, Latin American, or mixed-heritage backgrounds), and we are firm and unflinching in our commitment to a vision of an inclusive and diverse Exec.

Existing committee members are eligible for re-election at the conclusion of their term of office for one further period of three years.

Candidates for the Executive Committee require a nomination from an existing member of BAMS and must themselves be members of the association.

Candidates are asked to submit a brief biography as well as a 250-word proposal outlining their vision for the future of BAMS, their suitability for the role, and their envisaged contribution to the association.

The name of the nominator should be included in the proposal. Applications should be emailed to the BAMS Chair, Barbara Cooke (b.cooke@lboro.ac.uk) no later than 9am (GMT) on Friday 30 January 2026.

Postgraduate Representatives

Applications for two 2-year postgraduate representative positions are sought from registered doctoral students in their first or second year of study (or PT equivalent). The elected representatives will join Jenny Kenyon and Lily Martin, whose two-year terms began in April 2025.

BAMS especially welcomes applications from members of the global majority (people of African, Asian, indigenous, Latin American, or mixed-heritage backgrounds), and we are firm and unflinching in our commitment to a vision of an inclusive and diverse Exec.

Responsibilities include attending two online Exec meetings a year and helping out with PG events and workshops (travel expenses paid). Responsibilities shared between the PG reps include editing The Modernist Review, running BAMS social media, answering info@bams.ac.uk emails and sending welcome emails to new members. There are also opportunities to launch new initiatives, and we value and welcome such suggestions from postgraduate representatives.

Candidates for the Postgraduate Representative positions do not require a nomination from an existing member of BAMS. They must themselves be members of the association. Instructions for joining BAMS can be found below. The final selection will be made through an online election process open to all BAMS members.

Applications should be emailed to the BAMS Chair, Barbara Cooke (b.cooke@lboro.ac.uk) no later than 9am (GMT) on Friday 30 January 2026.