About Us
Registered in October 2025 under the West Bengal Societies Registration Act, 1961, the Society for Early Modern Studies is an academic non-profit organisation set up to promote the study of the early modern period (15th through 17th centuries) in world history, with special emphasis on India and Europe. The Society has the following objectives:
- To promote and support research in the interdisciplinary field comprising a range of subjects such as history, literature, art, science, religion, and philosophy, encompassing the period between medieval and modern societies, known as “early modern studies” in academic parlance.
- To foster public interest in early modern history, literature, thought, arts and culture.
- To endeavour to set up libraries, study centres, and activity centres in early modern studies at schools, colleges, and educational institutions.
- To collect and preserve manuscripts, works of art, historical objects and specimens, and other archival material relating to early modern studies.
- To organize conferences ensuring that they provide an excellent forum for both general lectures and more specialised presentations.
- To provide younger members with adequate support to enable them to undertake and disseminate their research, attend conferences and workshops, and enhance their professional skills.
- To confer awards and rewards to individuals and institutions for achievements in early moder studies.
- To provide financial help to publications like books, journals and periodicals relating to early modern studies.
Our Vision
The Society for Early Modern Studies, the first of its kind in Asia, brings scholars and enthusiasts together to study a critical period in the formation of the modern world: a period extending from roughly 1400 to 1700 CE, and comprehending global shifts in society, politics, economic systems, religion, literature, art, and science. The field is interdisciplinary by definition, and though it may employ definitions of “the modern” and “modernity” that originate in European thought of the 15th and 16th centuries, it is global in its reach, looking not only at the impact of European colonialism and the “capitalist world-system,” fueled by scientific-technological advances, but also at the way in which change is generated through ideas, innovations, and political shifts in spaces outside Europe and at various points of history. Thus the “early modern” as an open conceptual framework allows us to understand both the nature of a “new world order,” and the regional-global networks, mercantile systems, travel and trade routes, print cultures, scientific discoveries, new philosophies, religious movements, and cultural histories that contribute to it. These are instrumental to our modern understanding of knowledge-as-power, to notions of identity, race, and gender, and to modes of representation through literature and art. We welcome scholars from all disciplines and fields of interest to become members of the Society and to take part in its whole range of activities.
Membership Benefits
- As a member, you receive regular updates on the field, including book reviews, calls for papers, and recent publications in Early Modern studies.
- You get access to all SEMS annual meetings and conferences, which are crucial for presenting research, meeting mentors, and keeping up with current academic developments.
- You can make interdisciplinary connections and access unique collaborative opportunities.
- You have access to a platform for meeting senior scholars and mentors who can provide career advice and guidance on research projects. Senior scholars receive opportunities for joining working groups, or participating in mentoring programs for early-career researchers.
- You can avail opportunities to showcase research through conference presentations and by contributing to SEMS events.
- You will also be eligible for any awards recognising excellence in book publication, articles, digital projects, and dissertation research that we are able to institute in the future.
- If you are a student or early career scholar, the membership will allow you opportunities to build your CV by serving on committees, volunteering in conferences, and participating in elections for SEMS administration roles.
Membership
Regular Annual
₹1,000 / year
- All interested members of the public
- All employed persons
Reduced Annual
₹500 / year
- All research scholars enrolled in a doctoral programme
- Valid institutional bonafides
Student Annual
₹200 / year
- Any undergraduate or postgraduate student
- Valid institutional bonafides
Life
₹10,000
- Valid for a period of 20 years
- Any interested member of the public
Subscribe
Become a member, or donate and support SEMS. Pay by electronic bank transfer, UPI ID, or scan the UPI code below.
Dont' forget to email a screenshot of payment with your name, address, valid email ID and institutional affiliation (if applicable) to secretary@sems-india.org for receipt of payment!
SEMS UPI ID:
societyforearlymodernstudies5738@sbi
Scan QRNETBANKING AND ELECTRONIC TRANSFER
Account Name: Society for Early Modern Studies
Bank Name: State Bank of India
Type of Account: Savings
Account number: 44727775793
Branch Name: Wellesley Park
IFSC: SBIN0001723
Please note that we cannot accept any FOREX contributions at the moment. All remittances must be from an Indian bank account.
People
- All
- Governing Body
- Honorary Members
Events
Watch this space for details of the inaugural event, to be held in Kolkata in April 2026!
SEMS Exchanges
News and updates about the world of early modern studies, curated and managed for SEMS by Angana Moitra
Contact
Address
Convent Mansions, 20A Convent Road, Kolkata 700014, West Bengal, India
Email Us
secretary@sems-india.org