Annual Conference

The annual conference scheduled in Baltimore, Maryland, 29 October – 1 November 2020 has been canceled.

Those who have registered for the conference have several options. Because the registration fee includes a subscription to the Sixteenth Century Journal, the fee can be donated to the SCSC with the amount going to the SCJ subtracted; the fee can be moved to our 2021 annual meeting in San Diego and receive the SCJ this year; the fee can be refunded 100%.

The SCSC, a not-for-profit scholarly organization, receives no governmental or institutional funding. In order to participate in this conference, delegates or their sponsoring institution/organization will need to fund their own travel and lodging expenses in addition to a per delegate registration fee (or discounted student fee).

The registration fee is used to pay for conference facilities and general events. By paying the fee, delegates become members in the SCSC and receive the Sixteenth Century Journal. Conference registration fees are non-refundable. If you are unsure whether you will be able to attend a conference, you should wait to register on-site, thereby eliminating the problem of having paid for registration and being unable to attend. Advance registration discounts are available online until shortly before a meeting begins.

Sixteenth Century Society and Conference Sexual Harassment Policy

The Sixteenth Century Society and Conference promotes a welcoming and inclusive culture. We are committed to making our meetings and activities spaces where all members and participants feel safe and can thrive professionally. Harassment harms the individual and damages our scholarly community by discouraging participation and limiting the free expression and exchange of ideas. Sexual harassment will not be tolerated.

Sexual harassment is behavior (speech or actions) in formal or informal settings that “demeans, humiliates, or threatens an individual on the basis of their sex, gender, gender expression, or sexual orientation [modified SAA]. Sex-based harassment can also take nonsexual forms and includes discriminatory remarks or actions based on an individual’s sex, gender, gender expression, and sexual orientation [EEOC and SAA].” “Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal comment or physical conduct of a sexual nature by a person who knows or ought reasonably to know that such conduct is unwanted, including situations in which (i) the request or conduct involves any implied or expressed promise of professional reward for complying; or (ii) the request or conduct involves any implied or expressed threat of reprisal or denial of opportunity for refusing to comply; or (iii) the request or conduct results in what reasonably may be perceived as a hostile or intimidating environment. Such examples are illustrative, not exhaustive. [SBL].” It is also important to recognize that sexual harassment can intersect with other forms of harassment and discrimination (e.g. racial, ethnic, or religious).

Addressing Violations of the Policy

The Sixteenth Century Society and Conference seeks to provide meaningful support to members who have experienced sexual harassment at the annual meeting. If you have experienced sexual harassment at the Sixteenth Century Society meeting or have concerns about violations of the SCSC’s Sexual Harassment Policy (see above) please contact the Executive Director, President, or any member of the Executive Committee. These individuals can act as confidential “sounding boards, confidantes, and informal advisers; they can also confer with you confidentially about possible next steps” [SAA] and can outline the resources that are available (e.g. escort you to a room, call security, contact law enforcement, etc) and provide support while you utilize these resources. These individuals cannot provide legal advice. All communications are confidential and the details of such conversations will not be reported, except as required by law. Reporting an incident of sexual harassment or concerns about violations of the policy does not obligate the reporter to pursue any further action. These individuals are not empowered to investigate claims; they act solely as individuals who can listen and provide information about and access to resources. As a voluntary professional organization with a small staff, the SCSC is limited in its ability to respond formally to charges of sexual harassment. Nonetheless, within these constraints, the SCSC will follow its professional and ethical responsibility to “support vulnerable members of the community and to strategize to end the harassment in question.” [SAA]EEOC: Equal Employment Opportunity CommissionSAA: Shakespeare Association of AmericaSBL: Society for Biblical Literature

Future conferences:

28-31 October 2021 Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel, San Diego, California

27-30 October 2022 Minneapolis, Minnesota, Hyatt Regency