A Society for Early Modern Studies
The Sixteenth Century Society is a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to the study of the early modern era (ca. 1450-1750). The Society hosts a dynamic annual conference, welcoming scholars of all ranks from around the world. Annual membership includes a subscription to The Sixteenth Century Journal.
Upcoming Conference
2026 Chicago
The Sixteenth Century Society hosts one of the most important annual conferences in early modern studies each year, where senior, junior, and future colleagues of all early modern disciplines meet to present their work, discuss new trends in the profession, and develop the contacts that are crucial for scholars and students. This year’s conference will take place in Chicago, Illinois.
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Prizes
Sixteenth Century Society awards several types of prizes. Nominations for these prizes may be made by anyone, and self nominations are also welcomed. All prizes are announced and celebrated during our Prizes Ceremony & Plenary Lecture at the annual conference.
These prizes include an award for significant contributions to early modern studies over the course of a career, an award for mentoring, and an award to assist in the publication of a first book.
These prizes recognize the best articles on early modern studies published in the preceding calendar year in the fields of France, literature, and religion.
These prizes include an award for the best paper delivered at the Society’s annual meeting by a scholar who is still in graduate school or who has earned the PhD in the last five years and travel awards for graduate students to present their work at the annual meeting.
These prizes recognize the best books on early modern studies published in the preceding calendar year the fields of history, art history, German Reformation history, literature, reference, religion and theology, and women’s and gender studies.
Sixteenth Century Journal
The Journal of Early Modern Studies
In publication since 1969, Sixteenth Century Journal (SCJ) publishes twenty to twenty-five articles and hundreds of book reviews a year. As its subtitle, The Journal of Early Modern Studies, indicates, SCJ is an interdisciplinary journal, providing readers with thought-provoking research and inquiry related to the sixteenth century broadly defined (1450-1650) in all fields. Our articles cover subjects from around the world and appeal to a wide range of readers.
Annual membership to the Society includes a subscription to Sixteenth Century Journal. SCJ appears four times a year in digital and print format, plus occasional special issues. The digital version is available at The University of Chicago Press as well through JSTOR and Historical Abstracts Full Text.
Society News
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SCS/RSA Online Symposium
CfP for SCS/RSA Joint Online Symposium (January 2027): Public-Making Spaces, Then and Now. Reimagining Early Modern Scholarship in the Twenty-First Century
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Scott Hendrix, 1942 – 2026
The fields of Reformation History and Luther Studies lost a prominent figure on February 15, 2026, when Scott H. Hendrix died in Asheville, NC at the age of 83.
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SCJ seeks new Editor
SCJ seeks applications for a new Editor to work with existing editorial staff. Application deadline: 1 July 2026.
Affiliated Societies
Affiliated Societies, whose goals are consistent with our mission, play an important role in the Society. Typically, Affiliated Societies sponsor sessions at the Society’s Annual Meeting and use the conference as a site for meetings and gatherings of their members. For a list of organizations recognized as Affiliates of the Sixteenth Century Society, click below.