Sherman Lecture speaker on stage in front of an audience

Sherman Emerging Scholar Lecture Series

Sherman Emerging Scholar Lecture Series Sherman Lecture Series

Since 2002, the UNCW History Department has hosted the Sherman Emerging Scholar Lecture Series, an annual lecture series established to honor two lifelong learners and friends of the department, Virginia and Derrick Sherman.

Learn more about the lecture series

Call for Applications

2026 Virginia and Derrick Sherman Emerging Scholar Lecture
Call for Applications

“The Global American Revolution”

The University of North Carolina Wilmington Department of History solicits applications for the 25th Annual Virginia and Derrick Sherman Emerging Scholar Lecture. We invite proposals that engage with the 2026 theme of the Global American Revolution. Possible topics may address, but are not limited to, the global, social, cultural, economic, and political causes and consequences of the Revolution; the Revolutionary War as an international conflict; and the ways the American Revolution inspired subsequent political movements and revolutions. Submissions concerning all time periods and all geographic regions are welcome.

The Sherman Lecture provides a forum for an outstanding junior scholar (untenured assistant professor or researcher) to offer his or her perspective on a selected topic related to this year’s theme. The Sherman Scholar will meet with undergraduate and graduate students, share their expertise with faculty members in history and related fields, and be available to the local media. The centerpiece of the scholar’s visit will be the presentation of a major public address, which the university will subsequently publish.

Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of scholarly accomplishment, relevance of the proposed talk to the year’s theme, and evidence of ability in speaking before a diverse audience. The scholar will receive an honorarium of $6,000. The lectureship will take place on the UNCW campus October 13-15, 2026.

Applicants should submit a letter of interest with the title and brief description of the lecture they propose to deliver, current c.v., the names and email addresses of three references, and a recent scholarly publication. Materials should be sent electronically to Andrea Massey (masseya@uncw.edu).

The deadline for submission is April 13, 2026. Finalists must be available for Zoom interviews between April 27 and May 8, 2026.

University of North Carolina Wilmington
Twenty-fifth Sherman Emerging Scholar Lecture
Call for Nominations
UNC Wilmington is an EEO/AA institution.

The 24th annual lecture series & roundtable

On Oct 15, 2025, Dr. Charles Fawell will deliver the 24th annual lecture. The lecture will be followed by a roundtable discussion on Oct. 16 with distinguished scholars Dr. Jessica Namakkal, Dr. Jennifer Sessions, Dr. Jennifer Boittin, and moderator Dr. Michael Seidman.

The 2025 Sherman Scholar is Charles Fawell

Dr. Charles Begue Fawell is a Visiting Assistant Professor in History at Williams College, where he teaches courses on global imperial history, modern Europe, and the history of travel. He is now finishing his first book, 'Empire on the Line,' which traces the rise and fall of modern French colonialism to the sea lanes linking Europe, Asia, and Africa in the 19th and 20th centuries. His initial publications from this project have won prizes from the Society of French Historical Studies and the Society of Dix-Neuviémistes.

2025 Lecture Series

Empire On The Line: Making and Breaking French Colonialism at Sea

Dr. Charles Fawell

Williams College

Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025
7:30 p.m., Warwick Center

Roundtable to follow Thursday, Oct. 16, 3:30 p.m., OLLI Building

Free and open to the public.

Accommodations for disabilities may be requested by contacting us at least seven days prior to the event.

UNCW is an EEO/AA institution. Questions regarding UNCW’s Title IX compliance should be directed to Title IX.

2025 Roundtable

Making and Breaking French Colonialism at Sea

Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025
3:30 p.m., OLLI Building
620 South College Road

Free and open to the public.

Accommodations for disabilities may be requested by contacting us at least seven days prior to the event.

UNCW is an EEO/AA institution. Questions regarding UNCW’s Title IX compliance should be directed to Title IX.

Participants:

Dr. Charles Fawell, Sherman Emerging Scholar
Williams College

Dr. Jessica Namakkal
Duke University

Dr. Jennifer Sessions
The University of Virginia

Dr. Jennifer Boittin
North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Moderator: Dr. Michael Seidman
University of North Carolina Wilmington

Audience sitting in front row of conference having a discussion

16th Annual Sherman Emerging Scholar, Noah Strote

On October 11, 2017 Noah Strote gave a lecture on "Uprooting Fascism: Germany and Western Democracy Since Hitler" in the Warwick Center Ballroom.

Discover the 2023 Sherman Scholar Lecture Series

Explore the highlights of last year's Sherman Lecture Series, featuring the Emerging Scholar Dr. Eladio Bobadilla. Learn more about Bobadilla, the roundtable discussion, and relive the entire lecture experience by watching the recording.

Discover last year's Lecture Series