Colloquia & Reading Groups

What do Research Colloquia and Reading Groups do? What are they for?

Research Colloquia and Reading Groups support the scholarly activities of graduate students and faculty. Such groups provide opportunities to build intellectual community; share work in progress; gain exposure to disciplinary practices and norms; invite guest speakers to campus; and learn about new publications, ideas, discoveries, and debates. 

What’s the difference between a Reading Group and a Research Colloquium?

Reading Groups tend to form for specific purposes, or on specific occasions, and are not generally supported with an annual budget drawn from departmental funds. (Recent examples include reading groups in Medieval Latin, Old French and Occitan, and Trans/Queer Theory.) Reading Groups are not required to identify a faculty sponsor, nor must they report their activities to the Department. Sometimes, Reading Groups develop into Research Colloquia.

Research Colloquia are formed by students and faculty working in durable fields of research interest, where the level of interest is sufficient to ensure regular participation over time. Research Colloquia are generally organized and led by one or two student convenors, working with at least one faculty sponsor. Research Colloquia are supported by an annual grant of departmental funds. Research Colloquia are expected to be active every semester and to report their activities and expenditures to the Department. 

Can I participate in more than one group? 

You can participate in as many Reading Group or Research Colloquia as interest you. You might find that one aligns closely with your primary field while others speak to a secondary interest, genre, period, or methodology. 

While there is no expectation that you commit yourself to only one group, regular participation is encouraged. Attending events consistently helps sustain a sense of community within the group and supports the work of your fellow graduate students.

How do I find out about Colloquium and Reading Group events? 

To join a Colloquium or Reading Group’s mailing list, email the graduate student leaders using the contact information provided on the Colloquia & Reading Groups page on the Department website. They can add you to the mailing list so you receive announcements about programming. 

What if my field or area of interest is not represented by a current Colloquium? 

In a discipline as diverse as ours, there will always be fields of interest – and topics within fields – not covered by existing colloquia. We do not aspire towards total field coverage, which would exhaust the resources of the Department even if it were theoretically possible. We acknowledge the limits of our own expertise and encourage students to learn about programming in other Departments, Centers, and Institutes.

That said, new Colloquia and Reading Groups have been created over the years to reflect the emergence of new disciplinary and interdisciplinary fields, as well as the revival of interest in older questions. Recent examples include the Colloquia on Pedagogy; Literature, Culture, and Environment; and Trans & Queer Theory. 

Colloquia are also encouraged to collaborate with one another where they have common areas of interest or where, by combining expertise and resources, they might engage new topics or questions. 

So how would I start a new Colloquium?

Requests to start new colloquia are subject to approval by the Committee on Graduate Education (CGE). To submit an application, write to the DGS with the following information:

• Name and scholarly focus of the proposed Colloquium
• Rationale: What will it study? Why is it needed? Who will it serve?
• Name and affiliation of student convenor(s)
• Name and affiliation of faculty sponsor(s)
• Proposed schedule of events for the next academic year

Applications to start new Colloquia will be reviewed no more than twice per year. The CGE may request more information before deciding. The CGE’s decision is final.

What does a Colloquium leader do? How do I become one? 

Colloquium leaders are responsible for organizing the group’s activities and programming for the academic year. This might include inviting guest speakers, planning workshops and social events, organizing one-day conferences, communicating with members, managing the colloquium budget, and collaborating with other colloquia. Programming often reflects the interests of the current leaders, though leaders should also take into account the interests of the broader Colloquium community. Leadership terms generally last two years.  

If you’re interested in leading a Colloquium, start by getting involved. Join the mailing list, attend events, and get to know the current leaders and faculty sponsors. Changes in leadership generally take place at the end of the academic year, as current leaders finish their terms. If you are interested in taking on a leadership role, speak to the current leaders to learn more about the timeline and responsibilities. 

What is the role of the faculty sponsor? 

Faculty sponsors serve as advisors and mentors to Colloquium leaders, providing guidance on intellectual programming and access to their professional network. Sponsors are also responsible for ensuring the continuity of the Colloquium–-e.g., ensuring that leadership transitions happen regularly and smoothly, or that the Colloquium’s activities don’t diverge unreasonably from its stated mission. 

Sponsors must also sign off on the Colloquium leaders’ proposed schedule of events and annual report. 

Above all, sponsors should regularly attend Colloquium events and help foster a lively research culture in which students, faculty, and visiting speakers are engaged in the regular exchange of writing and ideas.

What is the process for inviting a guest speaker to campus? 

The process varies, depending on whether a student or faculty member has an existing relationship with the guest speaker, whether they are local or need to travel from far away, etc. If you are unsure about who to invite, or how to reach out to a prospective speaker, please consult with your faculty sponsor(s) and former Colloquium leaders. 

Important note: Make sure to consult the Colloquia Events and Meeting Guide before you send an official invitation. That document contains crucial information about guest speakers, including what to include in the formal invitation; policies regarding honoraria, travel, and hotels; and practical information about dealing with University vendors and reimbursements.

All expenses and reimbursements must be finalized and submitted by May 31 of each year.

What is the budget for each colloquium? What can it be used for? 

All Colloquia have a $1,200 spending budget for the academic year. These funds may be used for event expenses, including snacks, drinks, and related supplies, as well as costs associated with visiting guest speakers, such as honoraria, travel, accommodation, and meals. Please note that Columbia students and faculty should not be offered an honorarium for speaking or sharing work in a Colloquium.

These funds are intended to support Colloquium programming and event-related expenses. They may not be used to compensate Colloquium leaders. Colloquia are encouraged to collaborate so as to share costs, as well as to seek co-sponsorship from other relevant units.

Space is very competitive on campus, and some room reservations carry a fee for use, or require a fee for Facilities clean-up. If you identify a space for your event that carries these fees, they will need to be factored into your budgeting. Planning space reservations far in advance is strongly recommended. NB: We cannot reserve non-Departmental spaces until the end of the add/drop period each term. If you are planning an event in the first few weeks of the semester, please note that space will be particularly restricted.

For a complete guide to using Colloquium funds, please consult the Colloquia Events and Meeting Guide. 

You’ve mentioned that Colloquium leaders need to submit reports to the Department. What’s that about?

Colloquium leaders must submit two short reports each year, both of which must be approved by the faculty sponsor:

1. Proposed Plan of Activities: A simple calendar of events planned for the coming academic year. Please include all relevant information (e.g., description, date, location, expenses, funding), including whatever information you have about events (e.g., for the spring) that have been proposed but not yet confirmed. Due: September 30th, every fall. For events planned during the month of September, submit by August 15th. 
   
    
2. End-of-Year Activity Report: A short report detailing events held during the previous year, including a budget balance sheet and information about student leader(s) and faculty sponsor(s) for the next academic year. Due: May 1, every spring.

Please submit reports by uploading a PDF attachment to this Form.