Where Does Rhetorical History Belong?: Editors on Publishing Historical Scholarship (Nov 6)

Friday, November 6th, 2026
12:00-1:00pm CT

 

At the November 6 First Friday Forum, editors from major journals in rhetorical studies will come together to consider the place of historical scholarship within the broader discipline. This conversation will explore how different journals approach rhetorical-historical research, what makes historical arguments compelling to broader disciplinary audiences, and how historical inquiry contributes to theoretical, critical, and methodological conversations in rhetorical studies. Panelists will reflect on the opportunities and challenges of publishing rhetorical history across the discipline, consider emerging directions for historical scholarship, and offer insights for scholars seeking to position their work for publication.

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 Fall 2026 “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 October 2 and November 6, 2026 from 12:00-1:00pm Central Time via Zoom.