Host the BAVS Annual Conference!

Expression of Interest (EOI) Form to Host the BAVS Annual Conference

The annual British Association for Victorian Studies (BAVS) conference (estimated to take place in July or late August/early September each year) brings together those engaged in research and related activities across multiple disciplines and at all career stages. It is a key annual event in the field. Applications are invited for individuals and institutions interested in organising the annual BAVS conference in 2027, 2028 and 2029. Initial Expressions of Interest should be sent to the BAVS Secretary, Dr Claire Wood (claire.wood@leicester.ac.uk), by 1 July 2026.

Expectations

The BAVS conference is the Association’s flagship event. We look to attract between 120-200 delegates to the conference. Most delegates can only access the conference if they are on the programme, and so we look to the host to be able to accommodate 80-100 papers across two full days (alongside a morning session of activities for PGRs/ECRs), with adjacent spaces for catering, book displays and conversation. Hosts are not required to provide accommodation as part of the conference package, though where this can be done competitively it is very welcome. BAVS provides some additional conference bursaries for PGRs/ECRs who do not have access to institutional funds, and potentially some funding for PGR administrative assistance, and underwrites any reasonable financial loss from the conference, but otherwise it is expected that the Conference will cover its costs, with any surplus split 50:50 with the organisers.

Process

BAVS operates a two-stage process. The first stage is the submission of a simple Expression of Interest form (see below). Thereafter the BAVS committee will look to have further discussions with potential organisers, which will provide an opportunity for further clarification of what is involved and of the details of what hosts are able to provide. If BAVS needs to choose between more than one offer, potential organisers will be asked to complete a second-stage form, including more information about what they plan, and these will be assessed by a sub-group of the BAVS Committee.