The International Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies (ISECS) invites applications from scholars in all fields of eighteenth-century studies within the context of a one-week International Seminar for Early Career Eighteenth-Century Scholars. Formerly the East-West Seminar, this event brings together young researchers from a number of countries each year. In 2016 the meeting will take place in Sofia, and will be organized by the Faculty of History of St Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia and the Faculty of History of the University of Vienna.

This year, the theme of the seminar will be:

Enlightenment and Peasant Life: Representations, Intellectual Debates, Cultural Conflicts, Socio-economic Transitions

Framing the Issues
A detailed description of this theme is available on line at the following address: http://see.uni-sofia.bg

Submission of Proposals
The seminar is limited to 15 participants. The proposals (approx. 2 pages, single-spaced) should be based on an original research project (e.g. a doctoral dissertation) that deals with one of the aspects mentioned above. Because this is a seminar rather than a conference, each participant will be given approximately one hour to present the texts and questions that will then form the basis of a group discussion. Preference will be given to scholars who are at the beginning of their academic career (PhD or equivalent for less than six years). The official languages are French and English.

Applications should include the following information:
– a brief curriculum vitae with date of PhD (or equivalent);
– a list of principal publications and scholarly presentations;
– a brief description of the proposed paper (approx. 2 pages, single-spaced);
– one letter of recommendation.

Travel and Accommodation
Accommodation costs will be covered in full by the organizers who reserve hotel rooms. The costs for lunch on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and the evening meals on Monday and Tuesday will be covered by the organizers as well. The organizers will offer moderate travel assistance for the participants. Proceedings As is the case each year, the proceedings of the seminar will be published by Honoré Champion Éditeur (Paris) in the “Lumières internationales” series.

Deadlines
We invite submission of proposals; the deadline is March 15, 2016. All applications should be copy sent by e-mail to the following three addresses:
Ivan Parvev (ivanparvev@yahoo.com);
Wolfgang Schmale (wolfgang.schmale@univie.ac.at);
Maria Baramova (mariabaramova@gmail.com)