Southern Studies Conference 2026
AUM’s 2026 Southern Studies Conference spotlights craft, culture and Black women’s voices in poetry
Auburn University at Montgomery’s (AUM) 16th annual Southern Studies Conference will examine the South’s history, politics, literature, art, and architecture, highlighted by keynote talks focusing on handmade musical craftsmanship rooted in place and the essential role of Black women’s voices in Southern poetry.
The annual conference will take place Feb. 20-21, bringing scholars, students, artists, and community members to campus for workshops, panel discussions and keynote addresses by Emily Ellis, a renowned banjo maker and artist, and Ashley M. Jones, Alabama’s first Black Poet Laureate. Both keynote talks are free and open to the public.
Ellis’ presentation, “Rooted in the Land, Shaped by Hand: Farm, Art, and Ellis Banjos,” will reflect on craft, place, and the cultural traditions of handmade instruments. Her talk is scheduled for 1:15–2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, in Taylor Center 230.
Jones’ talk, “What the Mirror Said: The Necessity of [Southern] Black Women in Poetry,” will explore voice, identity, and the indispensable role of Black women in Southern literary traditions. She will speak from 1:15–2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, in Taylor Center 230.
In addition to the keynote sessions, conference participants will engage in a wide range of peer-reviewed panels spanning political science, literature, history, anthropology, English, philosophy, religious studies, American studies, women and gender studies, sociology, criminal justice, languages, education, art, art history, and music.
The full two-day conference, including workshops, poster presentations, and a reception, is free for AUM students, faculty, and staff. Registration for visiting participants is available at the following rates: $150 for general attendees, $75 for graduate students, and $50 for undergraduate students. Registration includes breakfast and lunch both days, dinner on Saturday, refreshment breaks, and admission to a special evening reception at the Fitzgerald Museum.
This year’s conference is funded and supported by the Alabama Humanities Alliance and AUM’s Faculty Senate Lectures Committee.
Now in its 16th year, AUM’s Southern Studies Conference is sponsored annually by the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and has become a cornerstone event for scholars and community members interested in the histories, cultures, and contemporary realities of the South.
Attendees are encouraged to register early and explore the full conference schedule online. For more information and to register, visit
Contact:
Dr. Jordan Dominy
Assistant Professor & Co-Chair, Southern Studies Conference Committee
