UR convenes scholars and advances ideas through national and international conferences
RESEARCH & INNOVATION
The University of Richmond recently welcomed scholars from across the United States and around the world to campus for major academic gatherings — from a national music conference to international meetings on global commodities markets and the history of economic thought. These opportunities brought leading thinkers to campus while strengthening the University’s reputation as a center for academic exchange.
Society for American Music
Music professor Joanna Love served as the chair of the local arrangements committee for the Society for American Music conference held in Richmond last week. As a longtime member, Love, who studies American popular music, knew this conference was an important opportunity to connect the UR campus with hundreds of American music scholars, performers, and enthusiasts.
“This was the first time this national conference was held in our city,” said Love. “The visit coincided with the nation’s 250th anniversary, the perfect time to share both Richmond’s history and our thriving musical community on- and off-campus with fellow American music scholars and performers.”
Additional University of Richmond faculty played a central role in organizing the event and connecting visiting scholars with the city’s rich cultural history through their own research and expertise. Music professors Bruno Alcalde, Mike Davison, and Andy McGraw served on the local arrangements committee with Love, and UR faculty from several disciplines led multiple conference excursions highlighting Richmond’s musical and historical landscape.
Historian and leadership studies professor Julian Hayter led a tour of sites connected to the city’s history, while Alcalde guided a visit to the historic Byrd Theatre where conference attendees were treated to a private screening of a Buster Keaton silent film accompanied by the in-house organist on the Mighty Wurlitzer.
“Conference participants from all over the country were thrilled by the stunning architecture and rich history of this Richmond landmark,” said Alcalde. “After watching Buster Keaton's One Week with Bob Gulledge performing live accompaniment, it was a treat to have him demonstrate all the remarkable sounds.”
UR’s Department of Music also hosted the conference’s signature concert event — the Vivian Perlis Concert on March 13, featuring the Richmond-based gospel trio The Legendary Ingramettes. The performance was free and open to the public, further connecting conference attendees to the campus and greater community.
This latest conference underscores a broader role the University of Richmond plays in bringing together leading scholars from around the world to engage with our campus community.
Central Bank Research Association
Last semester, the Robins School of Business hosted the 8th annual Central Bank Research Association Workshop for Commodities & Macroeconomics, held in collaboration with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. The two-day conference brought together economists and policymakers from around the world — including representatives from nine central banks and major international institutions — to discuss research on commodity markets and their impact on the global economy.
Participants examined topics ranging from supply chains and inflation to geopolitics and risk management, issues that have direct implications for policymakers and financial institutions.
“The workshop explored key areas of study in the commodity space that have critical real-world impact on the broader economy,” said Michel Robe, finance professor and co-organizer of the conference. “It brought together global experts to share their latest scholarship and professional experience, and to receive feedback from each other and from University of Richmond faculty working in this field.”
History of Economics Society
This past summer, the Jepson School of Leadership Studies hosted the 52nd annual meeting of the History of Economics Society, drawing more than 100 researchers interested in the history of economics and related fields. The conference featured presentations exploring topics ranging from money and banking to economic development to the evolution of economic thought.
“We were delighted to host this important international gathering and welcome historians of economics from across the globe to our campus,” said Sandra Peart, dean of the Jepson School of Leadership Studies and a past president of the History of Economics Society. “It’s not often that you have a chance to have so many distinguished colleagues in one place working toward the shared goals of advancing our field. We were fortunate that the place was our campus.”