Mission
Founded in 1961, the American Society of Papyrologists (ASP) is an international scholarly community that through its activities fosters exchange of ideas and collaboration among its members, whether in person, in print, or in digital media, on all aspects of ancient papyrological texts in their full chronological, linguistic, and geographical diversity. The ASP believes that responsible and ethical scholarship, inclusiveness, and mutual respect are central tenets necessary for the well-being of the community and its members, and thus is committed to a welcoming environment that encourages participation from all those interested in its activities and who accept the responsibilities of such participation. Core to our mission is the amicitia papyrologorum, by which we commit to mutual support in the task of working with these difficult ancient artifacts.
The Society uses it resources to support and encourage research in the field, the teaching of the discipline, and international cooperation by scholars. ASP publishes The Bulletin of the American Society of Papyrologists (BASP), the only North American journal in the field of papyrology, and three book series. We also organize annual panel sessions at both the Society for Classical Studies and the Society for Biblical Literature, sponsor biennial summer institutes for training scholars in papyrology, and facilitate a triennial papyrological workshop (the North American Papyrological Seminar).
The Society uses it resources to support and encourage research in the field, the teaching of the discipline, and international cooperation by scholars. ASP publishes The Bulletin of the American Society of Papyrologists (BASP), the only North American journal in the field of papyrology, and three book series. We also organize annual panel sessions at both the Society for Classical Studies and the Society for Biblical Literature, sponsor biennial summer institutes for training scholars in papyrology, and facilitate a triennial papyrological workshop (the North American Papyrological Seminar).
Meetings & Seminars |
News & Events |
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Each year, the American Society of Papyrologists holds its Annual Meeting in early January in conjunction with the Joint Annual Meeting of the Society for Classical Studies (SCS) and the Archaeological Institute of America.
As part of the Annual Meeting, the ASP sponsors a panel of between three and five papers on a wide range of subjects within the field of papyrology. Submissions are welcome from all interested parties; membership in the ASP is not required, although it is strongly encouraged. However, since the ASP Annual Meeting is a part of the official SCS program, speakers must be members in good standing of the SCS. Also, speakers are held to the SCS's single appearance policy, i.e. individuals can appear only once on the SCS program. If you wish to submit a paper for the next Annual Meeting, a short abstract (500 words) should be sent to Christelle Fischer-Bovet (USC) at fischerb@usc.edu by February 15. Abstracts are refereed anonymously, and decisions made by the end of March. Speakers will be asked to submit camera-ready abstracts to the SCS during the summer. Each paper is limited to 15 minutes (approximately 1875 words) and may use audio-visual equipment if necessary (this should be indicated on the abstract). Reminders of the deadline for abstracts will be in the SCS Newsletter in October and will also be posted on the PAPY list. Last Updated: (Tuesday, 03 May 2016 23:00) SOCIETY OF BIBLICAL LITERATURE PANEL:
PAPYROLOGY AND EARLY CHRISTIAN BACKGROUNDS The Papyrology and Early Christian Backgrounds Group explores how the ancient papyri illumine the world of early Christianity and will appeal to scholars interested in palaeographic, linguistic, and textual questions, as well as those who specialize in the social and cultural history of early Christianity. Questions and abstract submissions for the next panel should be directed to Lincoln H. Blumell of Brigham Young University. Last Updated: (Saturday, 05 November 2016 02:19) Since 2003, the American Society of Papyrologists has helped organize routine intensive summer programs in papyrology, on what we hope will now be a regular biennial program. For more information on the summer institutes, visit our Summer Institute page. INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF PAPYROLOGY
The last papyrological congress will be held in July 2019 in Lecce. The next will be three years from that date. North American Papyrology Seminar (NAPS) take place off-schedule from the triennial International Congress. Bylaws & PoliciesBylaws of the society
In January 2022, the Membership voted to incorporate the Society, and therewith to adopt new Bylaws. Click here for the full text of the Bylaws. The original ASP "Constitution" and its revisions can be found at the History tab. Professional Ethics Statement
In January 2022, the Membership adopted a new Professional Ethics Statement. Click here for full text of the Ethics Statement. Papyrus Trade ResolutioNS
Click here for ASP-AIP Papyrus Trade Resolution, which was approved by ASP Membership in January 2021, and which will be voted on at the 2022 Papyrological Congress. That resolution stands in addition to the 2007 ASP resolution condemning illegal trade in papyrus. StanDing CommittEes (ETHICs & SIP)
The ASP has two standing committees, the Ethics Committee, which advises and assists the Board on questions regarding professional ethics, and the Summer Institute Committee, which advises and facilitates the biennial Summer Institutes in Papyrology. For current appointments, see the governance tab. Articles of Incorporation
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Jan. 2023 - SCS PANEL CALL FOR PAPERS - “Culture and Society in Greek, Roman, and Byzantine Egypt” - DEADLINE Feb. 15
Society of Classical Studies 154th Annual Meeting
JANUARY 4-7, 2024 CHICAGO Call for Papers for Panel Sponsored by the American Society of Papyrologists “Culture and Society in Greek, Roman, and Byzantine Egypt” Organized by Christelle Fischer-Bovet (University of Southern California) The American Society of Papyrologists invites proposals for papers for its panel “Culture and Society in Greek, Roman, and Byzantine Egypt” at the 2024 meeting of the Society for Classical Studies in Chicago (4-7 January). Although the scope of papyrological studies is wide, submissions for this panel must meet at least one of the following criteria: (a) they must deploy evidence for ancient literary cultures that is preserved on papyri, ostraka, or wooden tablets (in Greek, Latin, Coptic, demotic Egyptian, Arabic, or other pertinent languages); (b) they must investigate aspects of the histories or cultures of Egypt from the Hellenistic to the early Islamic period. Submissions from graduate students and faculty at all levels are welcome. Respondents for this session will be appointed by the organizer once the abstracts have been selected. Prospective speakers must be members in good standing of the SCS. Please see https://classicalstudies.org/membership for membership information. Please send abstracts, following the SCS Guidelines for Authors of Abstracts), by email to Christelle Fischer-Bovet (USC) at fischerb@usc.edu by February 15, 2023. Abstracts should not include any self-identifying information. Abstract submissions will be subjected to double-blind review, and decisions will be communicated to prospective speakers by March 31, 2023, leaving sufficient time for those whose abstracts are not chosen to participate in the SCS’s individual abstract submission process Jan. 2022 - Membership votes to incorporate, and approves new bylaws and Ethics statement.
Dec. 2021 - Statement ON THE LACK OF PROVENANCE INFORMATION IN ASP publication Yale Papyri in the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library IV
Transparency concerning the acquisition of papyrological materials has been a guiding principle of the American Society of Papyrologists for almost fifteen years. The Society thus deeply regrets that its recent publication, Yale Papyri in the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library IV, went to press without the “frank and thorough” discussion of provenance that it mandates. Although the virtual absence of the requisite narrative was noted during the manuscript’s review, the agreed-upon remediation was not implemented due to an oversight on the part of the Society. To prevent further such lapses, the Society’s publications will henceforth be subject to review by its newly formed ethics committee |
Announcements
Special Announcement: Supporting the Papyrological Navigator for future scholars
See News for quarterly updates on the campaign
The PN is by now a fundamental part of many people’s daily research and teaching, and it would be easy to take it for granted, especially since users have never been charged a fee. Many users do contribute their volunteer labor to adding new texts to it and improving the information already in it; without their contributed time the data would rapidly become out of date. But a complex resource like this did not come into being without cost, and sustaining it is not going to be free, either. Fortunately, the basic technology support is provided by Duke University’s Duke Collaboratory for Classics Computing. But at present there is no long-term management of the content of the Duke Databank, and there is no permanent funding for the HGV either. The long-term usability of the PN is thus far from guaranteed.
We need a permanent position for a leadership and management role, and a fund to endow such a position has now been started. It is held by the Society for Classical Studies, which will take care of investing it along with the rest of its endowment, but it is up to papyrologists to raise the money. We will need at least $2 million (in current dollars) to support a position at the level of a research associate. This position could eventually be located in any of the institutions responsible for the components of the PN, whether in Europe or in the US. The first $50,000 has already been contributed, with a promise of a total of $500,000 over the next decade to match contributions by others.
Will you help to guarantee the future of the PN? Contributions of any amount can be made by credit or debit card by clicking on the button below, which will take you to the site of the Society for Classical Studies; you have only to indicate that your contribution is for digital papyrology to be sure that it will go into the right fund. Contributions by check can be mailed to the Society for Classical Studies, New York University, 20 Cooper Square, 2nd floor, New York, NY 10003. For contributions of securities please contact the Executive Director, Helen Cullyer, at helen.cullyer@nyu.edu.
Thank you for helping make it possible for future generations to use this vital resource in their research and teaching.