About | NACBS

The North American Conference on British Studies

About Us

The North American Conference on British Studies (NACBS) is a scholarly society dedicated to all aspects of the study of British history, literature, society and culture. The NACBS sponsors a scholarly journal, the Journal of British Studies, online publications, an annual conference, as well as several academic prizes, graduate fellowships, and undergraduate essay contests.

Our Mission

The North American Conference on British Studies is an organization for scholars exploring diverse perspectives on the past that place the long history of Britain in a variety of global contexts. We support the study of multiple, complex pasts of Britain and its empire across methodological, disciplinary, and geographical perspectives. NACBS seeks to support a diverse intellectual community of scholars working in a range of institutional settings.

Our History

Founded in 1950, the NACBS was known in its early years simply as the Conference on British Studies (CBS). The conference became affiliated with the American Historical Association (AHA) in 1952, and was incorporated under the laws of the State of New York in 1965. It adopted its current name in 1980. The NACBS has six regional affiliates. These include the Middle Atlantic (MACBS), Midwest (MWCBS), North East (NECBS), Pacific Coast (PCCBS), Southern (SCBS), Western (WCBS). The NACBS archives, along with several other relevant to our organization's history, can be found here.

Affiliates

The NACBS also has a close and formal relationship with H-Albion, the H-Net Discussion Network for British and Irish History. H-Albion acts as a principal outlet for e-mail dissemination of NACBS information such as call for papers for conferences and conference programs.

Additionally, the NACBS has a formal relationship with the Institute of Historical Research (IHR) at the University of London. Founded in 1921 by A. F. Pollard, the Institute of Historical Research (IHR) is an important resource and meeting place for researchers from all over the world. The NACBS encourages its members to join the American Friends of the IHR. The American Friends of the IHR (AFIHR) was founded to help the Institute by providing funds for particular projects.

NACBS also coordinate two fellowship programs through the Folger Shakespeare Library and the Huntington Library.

Regional Affiliates

Mid-Atlantic Conference on British Studies

Learn more about the regionals

The regional conferences are an essential part of the British Studies community. Learn more about the history of the regionals and how to get involved at the links above. As part of our 75th anniversary celebrations, Broadsides is running a series that reflects on the history of the NACBS and its regional affiliates. You can read the pieces at the links below.

A colorful image shows a large wrought iron gate in the center, leading to a courtyard with buildings around. The gate arches up to a decorative top, with Hull Court written in scrollwork below.

The MWCBS at 71: 1954-2025

"So, when the leaves start to take on their bright fall colors across the Midwest and the late afternoons begin fading into darkness, it feels like MWCBS season—and hopefully will for many years to come."

The Northeast Conference on British Studies: Fifty Years and Counting

"The organization has survived for over fifty years because it has shifted with the times and has helped to shape what British Studies is today. Let’s hope it might continue to do so for the next fifty years."

A photograph of the coast, a rocky beach with tide pools and a clear blue sky.

Fifty Years in the West: PCCBS 1974-2025

Some of the founders of the Pacific Coast Conference on British Studies, who migrated west in the Nixon era, may have been familiar with...

NACBS Archives

Preserving the history of our organization is important. You can find NACBS and various related archives at the links below. The NACBS wishes to express our sincere thanks to Jason Kelly, at IU Indianapolis, for his work on the history of our organization and his efforts to digitally archive materials in order to make them available to everyone.

NACBS Archives

The NACBS archives are housed at George Washington University. The collection contains records, correspondence, meeting minutes, and reports and memorandum pertaining to the society from 1949-2015 with the bulk of the records dating 1968-2011. The collection also includes the North American Conference on British Studies website, added in 2023.

British Studies Intelligencer Archive

The British Studies Intelligencer was a publication of the NACBS, published twice annually at the University of Arizona at Tucson. The BSI served as a newsletter of the Conference on British Studies (now NACBS), reporting on conferences, the travels of members, and other material of relevance. It merged with British Studies Monitor between 1979 and 1981. Digital copies of the British Studies Intelligencer are available through the Indiana University Indianapolis Library.

British Studies Monitor Archive

The British Studies Monitor was a publication of the Anglo-American Associations, a group that first met in 1964. Published at Bowdoin, its first issue was published in 1970. Between 1979 and 1981, negotiations between the Conference on British Studies (now NACBS) and the Anglo-American Associations merged their newsletters. Digital copies of the British Studies Monitor are available through the Indiana University Indianapolis Library.