Conference Agenda

Organized by the AMS Committee on the Annual Meeting and Public Events (CAMPE).

This roundtable will bring together music scholars and administrators working at institutions across different political and regional contexts to discuss the challenges and responsibilities of advocating for the work we do. As federal and state policies change, and as national politics seem to grow ever more polarized around issues such as DEI, LGBTQ+ identity, and climate change, music programs and individual faculty members face varying realities that impact their teaching, research, and institutional roles. The proposed session will feature perspectives from AMS members at the forefront of these discussions on their respective campuses. By fostering dialogue on the role that music scholars can play in navigating institutional pressures, supporting colleagues, and building networks at local, regional, and national levels, this roundtable seeks to empower AMS members to face the road ahead. Panelists will discuss how scholars can organize across institutions, leverage professional connections, and develop proactive strategies to defend their work, rather than simply reacting to external pressures coming from campus leadership or outside forces. This session is not a forum for personal grievance but a call to action for scholars committed to protecting academic freedom and to sustaining a research and teaching environment that is rigorous and inclusive. Panelists include Loren Kajikawa, Andrea Bohlman, Charles Carson, Maribeth Clark and Bonnie Gordon.