Welcome to ASHR

The American Society for the History of Rhetoric (ASHR) offers rhetoricians multiple points of entry and enthusiasm. It is fitting that the word “society” should lead this welcome, since rhetoricians understand better than most the importance of gathering with others for a common purpose; moreover, being a rhetorician today (as in plenty of other days) can be a dispiriting business, and sociality helps. The common purpose this particular society sustains is the study of rhetoric as a historically situated cultural practice. Accordingly, ASHR’s programming—from panels organized for its annual NCA unit, to papers given at its biennial symposia, to articles published in its journal—promotes discussion about strains and domains of rhetoric in all historical periods, cultural contexts, and theoretical guises.

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Upcoming Events

ASHR’s Next First Friday Forum: May 2, 2025

Prof. Cara A. Finnegan, University of Illinois
Prof. Debra Hawhee, Penn State University

Academics often think of summer as a magical time when the demands of the typical academic year can be set aside so that we can finally turn to our writing and research. Overachievers that we are, we imagine that we will have time and energy to complete All The Things. All too soon, however, the fantasy of “all summer to write” fades into the reality of our actual lives and then we beat ourselves up for not getting it all done. This workshop will offer attendees strategies designed to skip the fantasy and instead develop a concrete, specific, sustainable writing practice that will set you up for your work this summer and beyond. Attendees should come with pen/paper/screen and a calendar and expect to leave with a doable summer plan in hand.

ASHR membership is not required to attend—all are welcome!

About the ASHR First Friday Forum Series: Inspired by the classical conception of the forum as an intellectual gathering place, ASHR’s “First Friday Forum” series promotes educational programming, professional development, and an inclusive, collaborative virtual community. It is our hope that this virtual space will foster dynamic, cross-disciplinary scholarly engagement for those interested in reexamining and reimagining the various histories of rhetoric across all periods, languages, cultures, and modes of performance. The Spring 2025 “First Friday Forum” series will focus on key questions related to the research and teaching of the history of rhetoric / rhetorical history. These virtual gatherings will take place on February 7, March 7, April 4, and May 2, 2025 from 12:00-1:00pm Central Time via Zoom.

Please direct any questions to ASHR Vice President Dr. Allison Prasch (aprasch@wisc.edu) or ASHR Special Programs Coordinator Dr. Kristen Einertson (carl4818@umn.edu).

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NCA 2025 & RSA 2026

We look forward to featuring ASHR-specific programming at the 111th National Communication Association annual conference in Denver (November 20-23, 2025) and planning for the ASHR Symposium to be held just prior to the Rhetoric Society of America 2026  conference in Portland (May 21-22, 2026).