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The West of England & South Wales
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Latest News
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The West of England and South Wales Women's History Network has been based in the Faculty of Humanities, Languages and Social Science at UWE . It was set up in 1993 by a group of women academics who wanted to encourage research and stimulate interest in women's history and gender history in the south west of Britain. The more recent incorporation of "South Wales" into the title of the Network reflects the increasing involvement of members from that part of the region. We hold study days (usually on a Saturday) in different venues including Exeter University and Glamorgan University. These are a forum for staff, graduate students and outside speakers to present their research in a friendly informal atmosphere. Our annual conference rotates between institutions.
- The theme of the 2009 conference was Historical Perspectives on Women’s Activism. Program Abstracts
- The theme of the 2008 conference was Gender, Health and Medicine
- The theme of the 2007 conference was Women on the Move: Refugees. migration and exile. Abstracts are available
- The theme of the 2006 conference was Single Women in History 1000-2000, 23-24 June 2006. Conference abstracts are available
- The theme of the 2005 conference was Women, Faith and Spirituality, Sat June 25th 2005 held at the University of Glamorgan. Conference abstracts are available.
- The theme of the 2004 Conference was Women, Health and Welfare, held at UWE St Matthias.
- The theme of the 2003 Conference was Women and Country: Rural Life, Landscape and Nation held at the University of Exeter
- The theme of the conference in June 2002 was Gender and Leisure held at the University of Glamorgan.
- The theme for the conference in June 2001 held at UWE St Matthias was Women and War
- The conference in June 2000 was held at the University of Glamorgan, entitled ‘As a woman I have no country’? Women, Nations and Identity.
- The 1999 conference was held at the St Matthias Campus of UWE on 'Personal Narratives: Women's History, Women's Lives'.
- The 1998 conference on 'Women and Politics' was held in Bath. Conference abstracts are available
Organisation and Structure
Since our first conference in June 1994 we have been formally constituted as a group and now have a membership of approximately 80 with a geographical spread from Gloucestershire to Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and South Wales. The steering committee meets 4 or 5 times a year to organise activities. It is chaired by June Hannam from UWE. Fiona Reid from Glamorgan University is membership secretary. Kath Holden from UWE is treasurer and maintains the web page.
As a regional group we are affiliated to the National Women's History Network. Kath Holden represents our region's interests on the National Network Steering Committee. In September 2000 we hosted the National Network Conference at the University of Bath.
Range of Activities
The range of subjects covered at our meetings has been very wide and by no means confined to regional or local history. The group is inter-disciplinary in nature, drawing speakers from modern languages, drama, film and literary studies departments. We have also had a number of speakers from outside academic institutions. We ask our speakers to make their papers accessible to their audience and not to assume prior knowledge of their subject.
Membership
Our meetings are open to any woman or man who is interested - you don't have to be a member to come along but we will be encouraging you to join. Currently, membership rates are £10 full and £5 unwaged/student. If you join you will receive regular postings of events in Bristol, Bath, Exeter and South Wales, a biannual newsletter and reduced fees at the summer conference. You can download leaflet and membership form here.
Grants and Bursaries
The West of England and South Wales Women's History Network is offering bursaries of up to £100 for within the UK to attend the conference. Local network members who are students or low-waged can also apply for travel expenses to the conference if they live outside the Bristol area. Please be aware that funds are limited and not all applicants will be successful.
Applicants should apply by letter or email to the address below giving details of your financial circumstances and a contact details of a referee.
The network will also consider applications from postgraduate WHN members for research expenses up to a maximum of £100.
Applicants should apply by letter or email, including a 500 word summary of your research, details of proposed expenses and why the grant is necessary. You should also give the address and email of a referee who knows your work. There is no deadline for these grants.
Useful links
National Women's History Network
Scholars of Single Women Network
Further Information
For more information and details of how to join the network, contact:
Kath Holden Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, University of the West of England, St Matthias Campus, Oldbury Court Road, Fishponds Bristol BS16 2JP Tel: 0117 32 84395
Email: Katherine.Holden@uwe.ac.uk
This web-site is maintained by Katherine Holden. Please email Katherine.Holden@uwe.ac.uk for comments and corrections