British Folk Studies Section

The British Folk Studies Section of the American Folklore Society was established in 1992 to encourage and support the study of British folklore among members of the Society and to facilitate communication between folklorists in North America and the British Isles. The inimitable John Ashton led the section until 2004, and all section members are very grateful for the work he did in establishing this section and keeping it going, encouraging panels and collaboration among a dispersed membership. Many of the UK- and Canadian- based members of this section are not able to attend AFS on a regular basis, so we hope this enhanced website will be useful.

For information on the section, please contact the conveners, Thomas McKean of the University of Aberdeen or Stephanie D.L. Smith of the Smithsonian Institution.

We offer a forum for all folklorists who are interested in the folklore of the United Kingdom and also to British-based folklorists who share an interest in American folklore. We collect no dues at the moment, though these will have to be levied in the future. Anyone interested can be a section member and attend events regardless of whether he or she is a member of AFS. See the bottom of this page for information on joining the section.

Newsletter

We will be trying to regularize the section's newsletter (which will be available via a downloadable PSDF from this site) to come out in early December and in early May. Send announcements, brief notes on current projects, etc., to either of the conveners.

We sponsor regular paper panels and discussion groups at the AFS Annual Meeting and are in planning for a student travel award.

If you would like to join the section or be on our mailing list, please contact us. We will operate mostly on the web and by e-mail, but can post a hard copy to members who would prefer this and will pay the postage as there are no section dues at the moment.

AFS Meeting Events

Please contact the section conveners if you want to submit a paper proposal or a video or multimedia production. In order to have all proposals in together by the March 31 AFS submission deadline each year, you should get in touch with the conveners well in advance of the deadline to dicsuss your possible paper and media submissions. Proposals are due to the chair by February 15.

Retreats

Download details of our occasional retreats and events as they become available.

Field Schools

In planning. More information will be available soon.

Student Travel Award

The section hopes to offer a first student travel research bursary for fieldwork. We have some initial funds put aside for this from a book sale and from donations. Download information when available.

Calendar of Events

We welcome announcements of conferences, workshops, short courses, festivals, and other events of interest to section members. Please send them to either of the conveners. If you want them to be included in the newsletter as well as on this site, please send them at least two weeks before the next newsletter is to be published.

Links to Sites of Related Interest:

• The Elphinstone Institute, University of Aberdeen
• The English Folk Dance and Song Society
• English Folk and Traditional Music on the Internet: A Guide to Resources
• The Folk Music Journal
• The Folklore Society
• The National Centre for English Cultural Tradition, University of Sheffield
• The School of Scottish Studies, University of Edinburgh
• Village Music Project, Salford University

 

This AFS section does not charge dues to its members. To join the section, please contact the convener(s) named above.