Sussex academic elected chair of British Association for American Studies
Dr Sue Currell, the chair of the British Association for American Studies, at the memorial for abolitionist Frederick Douglass in Fells Point, Baltimore.
A Sussex academic has been elected as the new chair of the British Association for American Studies.
Dr Sue Currell, Reader in American Literature in the School of English, will serve a three-year term in the role, beginning with immediate effect until April 2016.
The British Association for American Studies (BAAS), a charitable organisation, advocates for the study of America across disciplinary boundaries in universities, colleges, and schools in the UK.
The charity also works closely with such organisations as the Embassy of the United States and the Fulbright Commission to offer awards for publications, travel scholarships as well as graduate teaching assistantships in America.
Dr Currell’s appointment marks only the fourth occasion that the BAAS has elected a female chair, and the 19th chair since the organisation was founded in 1955.
As chair of the BAAS, Dr Currell will act as the figurehead for historians, literary scholars, politics and international studies specialists, and cultural studies scholars whose work focuses on the United States. She will also take on an advocacy role for American Studies departments and programmes in the UK, supporting the interests of arts, humanities and social sciences more generally.
Dr Currell, who has been vice-chair of the BAAS for the last year, said: “It means a great deal to me to represent the American Studies community of researchers and postgraduates in Britain. It is particularly exciting for me as both my undergraduate and doctoral degrees were completed at Sussex, which has had a long and outstanding history in teaching and research in American Studies.
“It is also a very exciting time for the University as we are creating a new research centre for American Studies and my position as chair of BAAS will enable me to enhance the centre's activities and national profile.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for me to give something back to the field that I fell in love with while a student at Sussex.”
Dr Currell’s research interests include American culture and modernism in the 20th century. Her most recent book entitled American Culture in the 1920s examines the interplay between cultural, social and intellectual change during the ‘jazz age’.
25 March 2011
Obituary
Dr Sharon Smith
Dr Sharon Smith, who was employed by the University in 2008-09 as a postdoctoral researcher, died on 13 March following a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Sharon was part of the Sussex Centre for Cultural Studies.
Sharon was an ordained Buddhist in Triratna (formerly Western) Buddhist Order UK, where she was named Vijayatara.
Her research report on LGBTQI Buddhisms in the UK - for the 'Queer Spiritual Spaces' project - was exemplary. It was complex and interpretive in understanding socio-cultural differences and intersectionality, showing a profound depth and range of historical and textual knowledges.
Sharon was a commensurate professional and produced work to the highest academic standard; her writing was detailed and managed to convey an immense expertise together with insight and grace.
Sharon was a very special colleague, who had a peaceful and warm presence, an unusual patience and gentle humour. She was supportive and generous, honourable and kind.
We were very fortunate to have her as part of the team, and to have her wonderful company.
Professor Sally Munt Director, Sussex Centre for Cultural Studies