Leadership


New England American Studies Association (NEASA)

Council Member, 2022 - Present
President, July 2023 - August 2024
Vice President, August 2022 - July 2023

NEASA is the New England regional subsidiary of the American Studies Association. As President, Rachel oversaw the organization during a rebuilding year, and worked to return the group's annual conference to pre-pandemic involvement. She oversaw the planning of a conference, "Revisiting Region: Locating the 'Where' in American Studies," held at Harvard University, which brought together 60 speakers and 90+ attendees for a dynamic two day gathering. 

American & New England Studies Program Graduate Student Association

President, 2019-2020
Vice President, 2018-2019
Social and Professional Development Chair, 2017-2018

As President, Rachel directed the organization in supporting the graduate students in the American Studies Program. She scheduled events, created promotional materials, coordinated email communications, and organized panels for students in different stages of the program. As Vice President, Rachel researched, designed, and sent out weekly newsletters for graduate students; successfully advocated for the establishment of a graduate student liaison position on the faculty committee; coordinated and carried out elections. As Social and Professional Development Chair, Rachel planned and facilitated social and professional events, including a cross-departmental gathering to foster collaboration between humanities graduate students.
Rachel Kirby, a white person with short brown hair, holds a microphone and stands behind a podium. A screen in the background reads "The Captain and the Codex: John Smith's Generall Historie of Virginia and the Transformation of Pocahontas."
Rachel Kirby introducing keynote speaker Joseph Rezek at the 2024 NEASA conference.
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