This note is an invitation to participate in the MSA-TII Buddy System, after the initiative's success in Lima 2024 and Prague 2025. We use the word "Buddy" in its historical working-class definition of having someone by your side as you navigate a new, exciting, and potentially overwhelming situation. The Buddy System is open to all MSA Members in good standing and is designed for conferences only. For long-term mentorship within the MSA, please check out the MSA Mentorship program and/or the new Early Career Committee (ECA).
The MSA Transformative Inclusivity Initiative (MSA-TII), facilitated by a small volunteer collective, aims to promote the Association's aspiration to accessibility, diversity and inclusion by rethinking the traditional and hegemonic categories of dis/ability, class, color, gender, sexuality, race and species, exploring effective practices of inclusion at all levels of the Association. The TII thus encourages a lateral approach to diversity in memory work and believes that the practice of inclusivity belongs to all of us in ways that embrace and welcome rather than deny history or guilt-trip.
Buddies may be asked to answer questions about how the conference works, how sessions and formats typically unfold, and how the MSA operates more broadly. They can also offer general support and guidance about navigating the programme, attending sessions, or understanding conference proceedings. This is an informal support role, should not require a large amount of additional care or time, and Buddies are not expected to provide specialised assistance. Because most Buddies will not be local to Buenos Aires, they cannot necessarily help with accommodation, travel arrangements, or detailed knowledge of the venue or city.
We will try to match pairs based on language and/or research interests; however, we cannot guarantee a close match, as this is dependent on who signs up. We also cannot guarantee that we will have enough Buddies signing up, but we will try our very best to pair everyone!
We are planning a short gathering at the start of the conference, to have a dedicated space for Buddies and participants to meet – so save the date: 28 July, 11-12 a.m. local time, room SV404!
Please click here to find out more and sign up to serve as a Buddy or to request the support of a Buddy. Please fill in the form by July 16, 2026.
And don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. Please see the contact information below. We look forward to your support and participation in either role during the MSA Buenos Aires 2026.
Thanks again and welcome!
Your MSA-TII Team: msatransformativeinclusivity@gmail.com
Anna Reading anna.reading@kcl.ac.uk
Heather Proctor heather.proctor@newcastle.ac.uk
Jarula Wegner jarula.wegner@gmail.com
Jocelyn Martin jmartin@uco.fr
Marianne Hirsch mh2349@columbia.edu
Mary McCarthy mary.mccarthy@drake.edu
Ruramisai Charumbira rcharumb@uwo.ca
Sarah Gensburger sarah.gensburger@sciencespo.fr