Jacksonville, AL – Jacksonville State University hosted the 2026 Southeastern Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies (SEASECS) Conference on campus from Thursday, March 5, through Saturday, March 7, bringing together scholars and students from across the Southeast and beyond for a three-day academic gathering.
SEASECS is an interdisciplinary organization that promotes the exchange of ideas related to the culture, history, literature, philosophy, politics, music, economics, architecture, art, medicine, and science of the eighteenth century. The organization holds an annual conference to showcase scholarly research and creative work centered on this historical period. The theme for this year’s conference was “Through the Screen Darkly: The Eighteenth-Century in the Digital Age.”
The conference was organized by local host Dr. Christopher Douglas of the Department of English, with assistance from Dr. Tray Ridlen of the Art Department and Dr. Ryan Burns of the History Department. Approximately 70 participants attended, including university faculty, independent scholars, graduate students, and undergraduate students. Attendees traveled from locations as distant as Canada and Texas to take part in the event.
Dr. Douglas emphasized the importance of the eighteenth century in understanding modern society, noting that while it is sometimes overlooked, it remains essential to contemporary discussions and values rooted in the Enlightenment.
Dr. Ridlen highlighted the range of discussions at the conference, which included not only original research but also conversations about teaching and the continued relevance of eighteenth-century studies, particularly as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary.
The conference featured a variety of keynote events and presentations. Thursday’s keynote included a Regency-era dance class led by Leila Rodgers, a master’s student in the Department of History and Foreign Languages. The session introduced attendees to Georgian dances while providing historical and social context.
Dr. Timothy Lindblom, Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Sciences, welcomed participants during the opening reception.
On Friday, conference attendees enjoyed a musical performance featuring eighteenth-century works presented by Dr. Shellie Beeman, lyric soprano, and Dr. Wendy Freeland on piano, with accompaniment by Jacksonville State alumnus Michael Greenwood on woodwinds.
The evening concluded with a keynote presentation by Dr. Martha Bowden, Emeritus Professor of English at Kennesaw State University, who presented research on eighteenth-century fable collections.
The conference concluded Saturday morning following a business breakfast and additional sessions, including presentations that showcased undergraduate student work in Art and English at Jacksonville State University.
Organizers noted that the event was supported by multiple departments across campus, as well as by facilities such as Merrill Hall and the Houston-Cole Library, which provided meeting spaces for sessions and events.
Dr. Douglas described the conference as a collaborative effort, noting positive feedback from attendees regarding the campus environment, facilities, and student engagement.
SEASECS rotates its conference location annually. The 2025 conference was held in Savannah, Georgia, and the 2027 conference is scheduled to take place at the University of Mississippi.
The organization is a regional affiliate of the American Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies, the largest scholarly association in North America dedicated to the study of the eighteenth century.
