CONFERENCE FAQs
How do I register for the conference? Do I have to be a member of the Society for U.S. Intellectual History to participate?
You can register for the conference here. In addition, all conference participants must be members of the S-USIH. You can join the S-USIH here.
How much time will I have to present my paper at the conference?
Sessions will last an hour and forty-five minutes. Paper presentations should be no more than twenty-minutes to leave time for, at minimum, fifteen minutes of discussion at the end of each session.
Will there be audio-visual equipment available for me to use during my presentation?
Yes. Most of the rooms at UC Irvine have screens, projectors, computers, DVD players, and VCRs. You may also project a presentation from your laptop. However, if you are a Mac user, please remember to bring a dongle with you; we do not have them available at UCI and you will need one to connect your computer to the VGA cable in the room.
What is the closest airport to UC Irvine?
One’s best bet is John Wayne Airport in Orange County/Santa Ana, and we strongly encourage you to fly in and out of this airport. UC Irvine is approximately four miles from the airport and the Radisson (see below) is about a mile and a half from the airport. The Radisson offers free shuttles to and from John Wayne Airport. The next closest airport is in Long Beach, which is approximately twenty-five miles from UC Irvine. Shared shuttles from the Long Beach airport to the Radisson run approximately $42 each way; however, please note that this is the fare for a shared ride, not for a direct ride to the hotel. Car service or direct shuttle service from the Long Beach airport can run between $89-$100 one-way. LAX is approximately forty-five miles from UC Irvine. Without traffic, it takes about fifty minutes to an hour to drive from LAX down to Irvine. The cheapest shuttle option from LAX that we have been able to find runs approximately $55 one-way.
Where should I stay while I’m in town for the conference?
We have secured a block of rooms at the Radisson Newport Beach hotel. Rooms for S-USIH participants will cost $129/night for single occupancy, and $139/night for double occupancy, inclusive of a daily breakfast buffet that serves both hot (eggs, breakfast meats, potatoes, etc) and cold (cereals, pastries, yogurt, etc) items. There is a free shuttle to and from the John Wayne Airport; we also have arranged shuttles to take conference participants to and from UC Irvine each day from the Radisson. There are approximately fifteen restaurants within walking distance of the hotel, and it is an easy cab ride to other spots in Newport Beach, Irvine, and Costa Mesa. We strongly encourage participants to stay at the Radisson. Please use this code when you reserve your room to assure that you receive the S-USIH rate: UCIHIS.
What are some of the highlights of this year’s conference?
We are thrilled to host forty excellent panels on this year’s program. In addition, we are honored that David Hollinger will be delivering the keynote address. Scheduled for Saturday, November 2 at 2:15pm, Dr. Hollinger’s talk is entitled “Christianity and Its American Fate: Where History Interrogates Secularization Theory.”
We also have planned what promise to be wonderful plenary sessions. The first plenary, to be held on November 1, focuses on the intellectual history of conservatism. The second, to be held the evening of November 2, will discuss intellectual histories of American foreign Relations. Please see the schedule for more information.
I’ve heard that Orange County is nearly impossible to navigate without a car. Is that true?
Well, sort of. But we will provide transportation to and from the conference and there are a number of restaurants (many of which include bars) within walking distance of both the hotel and the UC Irvine campus. You will not need a car while you are in Irvine unless you’d like to take advantage to our proximity to sites of interest in Orange County (like the Nixon Library and Museum) and Los Angeles (like the Huntington Library or the Reagan Library).
What dining options are available near the campus and the hotel?
The Radisson has a full-menu restaurant as well as a bar that serves a variety of appetizers. There are a number of restaurants within walking distance from the hotel, including Il Barone (Italian), Juliette (New American, Wine Bar), Bistango (Tapas, Small Plates), Saagar (Indian), Arnie’s (Delicatessen), La Salsa (Mexican), Fuji Grill (Japanese), and Specialty’s (Café, Bakery). ‘
Across the street from UC Irvine is the University Center shopping area. Click here for a full list of restaurants.
I am planning on driving to the conference. Will parking be available?
Yes! Parking is free at the Radisson Newport Beach hotel. If you are also planning on driving to UC Irvine, please contact Allison Perlman ([email protected]) for information about securing a parking permit.
What will the weather be like in Irvine in November?
If all goes as usual, it should be sunny and beautiful, in the 60s and 70s during the day. Please note that the temperatures do drop at night.
How far is the beach from the Radisson and UC Irvine?
Approximately a ten-minute drive. It is a bit too far to walk, but is an easy cab ride away.
Who should I contact if I have additional questions?
You can send any questions to Allison Perlman ([email protected]).