The American Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies (ASECS) is searching for a Secretary to begin a three-year term on 1 July 2026. The Secretary is an Appointed Member of the Board of Directors who has Board voting privileges. The successful candidate will report directly to the Executive Board of the Society and will take the minutes of meetings of the ASECS Board of Directors and the ASECS Executive Committee. Other duties include:
- Responsibility for circulating the agenda and minutes of the meetings of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee
- Attending Board of Directors and Executive Committee meetings
- Taking part in the development of the quarterly ASECS News Circular
- Voting as an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors
These duties may be combined with another compatible office, as the need arises. For more information about the responsibilities of the Society’s Secretary, see Article VI, Section 5 of the Society’s Bylaws.
The successful candidate for Secretary will be a member in good standing of the Society. The position is eligible for reappointment pending approval of the ASECS Executive Board.
Interested candidates should send a letter of application by 27 March 2026 to the chair of the Secretary Search Committee, former ASECS President Jeff Ravel, at ravel@mit.edu. The letter should state the candidate’s qualifications and interest in the position. It should be accompanied by a CV and the names of two recommenders who can speak to the candidate’s qualifications to perform the duties of ASECS Secretary. Questions about the position and the application process may also be addressed to Jeff Ravel. The Search Committee will invite finalists to an interview at the Society’s annual meeting in Philadelphia, or via phone or Zoom if a finalist is not attending the meeting. The Society intends to announce the new Secretary after the Philadelphia meeting. That person will begin a three-year term on 1 July 2026.
The ASECS Secretary Search Committee consists of:
- Al Coppola (Associate Professor of English, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY)
- Elena Deanda-Camacho (Professor of Hispanic & Black Studies, Washington College; ASECS First Vice-President)
- Jeff Ravel (Professor Emeritus of History, MIT; Former ASECS President, 2019-2020)