The Society for Literature, Science, and the Arts (SLSA) is a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to fostering the study of the relationships among literature, science, technology, and the arts. It serves as a platform for scholars, artists, and scientists to explore the cultural and social dimensions of science, technology, and medicine through interdisciplinary approaches.
Mission and History
SLSA’s mission is to encourage and support new scholarship in the multi-disciplinary study of the cultural and social dimensions of science, technology, and medicine. The society was founded to promote interdisciplinary studies and has been active in publishing a journal (Configurations), a newsletter (Decodings), and organizing annual meetings and symposia.
Governance
SLSA is a non-profit educational society led by elected officers and appointed representatives. Together, they ensure the organization’s transparency, continuity, and support for its interdisciplinary mission. The officers comprise a President, First and Second Vice-Presidents, at least two elected Members-at-Large, and an Executive Director. The Second Vice-President is elected by the membership and progresses to First Vice-President and then President, each serving two-year terms. The Executive Director manages administrative tasks, including communication with the Johns Hopkins University Press Journals Division regarding membership, handling correspondence, managing finances, and editing the society’s newsletter.
Awards & Funding
SLSA offers several awards and funding opportunities to support and recognize scholarly work:
- Bruns Essay Prize: Awarded for an outstanding essay by a graduate student
- Schachterle Essay Prize: Given for an exceptional essay on literature and science by an untenured scholar. [link]
- Kendrick Book Prize: Presented for the best academic book on literature, science, and the arts published by an SLSA member. [link]
- Travel Awards: Provided to underfunded individuals attending the annual meeting, including graduate students, independent scholars, and recent PhDs. [link]
SLSA Executive Board (2024–2026)
SLSA was inaugurated at the 17th International Congress of the History of Science, Berkeley, CA, in August 1985. Each year the annual SLSA meeting attracts hundreds of participants from many different disciplines. In addition to the journal Configurations, SLSA sponsors a book series, publishes a newsletter, Decodings, and maintains a membership directory, which lists members’ interests.
Executive Leadership
President: Rajani Sudan – Southern Methodist University
Executive Director: Carol Colatrella – Georgia Institute of Technology
First Vice-President: Adam Nocek – Arizona State University
Second Vice-President: Ranjodh Singh Dhaliwal – University of Basel
Members-at-Large
Paula Leverage (2023–2025) – Purdue University
Shane Denson (2023–2025) – Stanford University
Nat Mengist (2024–2026) – University of Washington
Graduate Student Liaisons
Benjamin David Platt – Oregon State University
Elana Maloul – University of Michigan
Editors of Configurations
Melissa Littlefield – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Rajani Sudan – Southern Methodist University
Email: configurations@smu.edu
Book Review Editor, Configurations
Jay Labinger – Beckman Institute, California Institute of Technology
Beckman Institute, 139-74
California Institute of Technology
1200 E. California Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91125
Publications Committee
Pamela Gossin – University of Texas at Dallas
Raymond Malewitz – Oregon State University
Bruce Clarke – Texas Tech University
Media & Technology
Electronic Resources Coordinator: Wayne Miller
Social Media Liaisons:
– Ed Chang – Ohio University
– Ranjodh Singh Dhaliwal – University of Basel
Arts & Community Engagement
Arts Liaisons: Dennis Summers
Ombudspersons:
– Marcel O’Gorman – University of Waterloo
– Kari Nixon
Past Presidents
David Cecchetto, York University
Marcel O’Gorman, University of Waterloo
Ron Broglio, Arizona State University
Robert Markley, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Laura Otis, Emory University
Richard Nash, Indiana University
Alan Rauch, University of North Carolina-Charlotte
Bruce Clarke, Texas Tech
Eve Keller, Fordham
Jay Labinger, California Institute of Technology
T. Hugh Crawford, Georgia Tech
Susan Squier, Penn State
Sidney Perkowitz, Emory University
Stuart Peterfreund, Northeastern Univ.
James J. Bono, SUNY-Buffalo
N. Katherine Hayles, UCLA
Mark Greenberg, Drexel University
Lance Schachterle, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Stephen J. Weininger, Worcester Polytechnic Institute