ESPRit was, perhaps like many worthwhile research ideas, born out of a spontaneous conversation, just after the 2008 European Society for Studies of English conference in Aarhus, Denmark. Together with Odin Dekkers and Antony Rowland I had organised a panel session on the theme “Research and the Literary Periodical: Theory and Methodology.” At that time, my colleagues and I who were active in the field of periodical studies were debating quite fundamental questions, such as: which methods do periodical researchers use for their interdisciplinary, and often complex, research? Would it be possible to design a shared methodology that helps us tackle the challenges inherent to periodical research? The Call for Papers that we had sent out for the panel did not yield a multitude of responses, as researchers seemed to be somewhat daunted by the concepts “theory” and “methodology” in relation to periodical studies. The panel session, however, proved to be lively and stimulating. Antony Rowland, Peter Buse, Wolfgang Görtschacher and Alistair McCleery presented their research on a great variety of periodicals – Voice, Aperture and Chapman among them – and focussed on both the rewarding and the complicating aspects of their methods. The four papers confirmed that there was value in sharing ideas and best practices with periodical researchers from various fields and disciplines.
As we said our goodbyes at Aarhus Airport, our parting words reflected what many of us feel after an inspirational conference: “We should convene like this more often – perhaps even found a society!” In ESPRit’s case, though, a fleeting idea soon became reality. After returning to The Netherlands, Odin Dekkers and I investigated the possibility to apply for a research grant to found a European society which would serve as a meeting place for periodical researchers. In 2009 we were awarded an internationalisation grant by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) which allowed us to organise expert meetings and a conference, pay for the design of a website and, eventually, provide support for the foundation of JEPS: Journal for European Periodical Studies. Our model in those early days was our excellent sister organisation, RSAP: Research Society for American Periodicals. With the invaluable expertise of scholars like Ellen Garvey, Margaret Beetham, Marysa Demoor and, later, Laurel Brake, as well as many others, ESPRit got off to a flying start: I will always remember the congenial atmosphere in the early meetings; the willingness to share resources freely and generously. Today, 18 years after that spontaneous conversation at Aarhus Airport, I feel a sense of pride, and wonder, about the institute that ESPRit has become: with its many members, conferences, journal and a prize it truly is a formidable research society. That “esprit” of the founding days – colleagues sharing their expertise in a vibrant and open atmosphere – is as much alive as it was then. Long live ESPRit!
