AUM’s 2026 Southern Studies Conference spotlights craft, culture and Black women’s voices in poetry

Auburn University at Montgomery’s 16th Annual Southern Studies Conference will examine the South’s history, politics, literature, art and architecture, highlighted by keynote talks focusing on banjo craftsmanship 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.

In her presentation, “Rooted in the Land, Shaped by Hand: Farm, Art, and Ellis Banjos,” Ellis will explore the history of the banjo and provide a visual presentation of her banjos, the gourds she uses to build them and the building process. She will also play a few tunes and answer questions after her presentation. Her talk is scheduled for 1:15–2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, in Taylor Center 230.

Jones, the first person of color to hold the position of Alabama’s Poet Laureate in its 93-year history, will read from her forthcoming personal, critical academic essay collection “What the Mirror Said: The Necessity of [Southern] Black Women in Poetry.” She will explore how poetry and storytelling can challenge injustice, preserve memories and allow for personal reflection and social change. Jones will speak from 1:15–2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, in Taylor Center 230.

“Those who attend this year’s conference can expect to gain an appreciation and understanding of the history, struggle, achievements and creativity of life across the South,” said Professor of Social Work and MSW Program Director Lacey Sloan, who served on this year’s conference committee.

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, research 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.

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.

For more information and to register, visit https://www.aum.edu/class/community-resources/southern-studies-conference/.