Applications (or nominations) are invited for the position of Conference Program Chair for the 2014 ASTR conference to be held at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel on November 20 - 23, 2014.

The letter of application should describe your qualifications (including other conference-planning experience, previous participation in and/or service to ASTR), and include a one-page proposal for a conference theme. The proposal should include an explanation of the proposed theme, a justification for how and why this theme speaks to the state of the field and the focus of ASTR, and a description/explanation of any unique formats beyond the standard plenary and working group structures. As an option, the proposal might address the theme's relevance to the location. The conference theme should take advantage of your scholarly expertise. Pairs of prospective Program Chairs are also welcome to apply.

The 2012 Committee on Conferences will vet the applications and will be guided by these criteria: the quality and consistency of academic engagement in publishing, teaching, and service (as indicated by the c.v.); active citizenship in ASTR; a demonstrated understanding of the mission of ASTR as an organization and of the conference in particular by way of the proposed conference theme; quality of and interest/excitement/challenge generated by the proposed conference theme.

Timetable: In Fall 2013, the 2014 Program Chair finalizes the theme and assembles a Conference Planning Committee, in consultation with the Committee on Conferences. Conference planning takes place during 2014; plenary paper and Working Group proposals are typically due on February 1. The Conference Planner serves on the 2013 Conference Committee ex officio to observe the planning process. Details about the role and responsibilities of conference planner and a timetable can be found in the ASTR Handbook (http://www.astr.org/members/handbook - pp.43-47).

Please submit: 1) letter of application, 2) one-page conference theme proposal, and 3) c.v. by email attachment by December 15, 2012 to Stacy Wolf, ASTR Vice President and Chair of the Committee on Conferences ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) and Patrick Anderson, incoming Vice President and Chair of the Committee on Conferences ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Please feel free to email Stacy Wolf with any questions.