Research Units
The Research Unit's primary work is to keep members up-to-date on the field with regular (usually remote) meetings that involve reading and topical discussion or fostering pre-publication peer review. They also help facilitate the national AAR by collaborating with national Program Units. In general, they should maintain a direct connection with (and be named after) national-level Program Units.
Regular Meetings
Research Units meet regularly (usually remotely) throughout the year. These meetings can take any format decided on by the group, such as review of new publications, presentation of new research, or workshopping ideas.
National Connections
These regional units are tied directly to the national AAR's Program Units and seminars. We encourage these connections so work at the regional level can blossom into national presentations and networks. If you're already involved at the national, feel free to create a regional unit!
Networking Focused
The primary goal of these units is to keep you networked with people working on similar topics near to you. We hope this will foster collaboration across institutions and enable members who are otherwise isolated in their work to stay engaged.
Repositories of Resources
Like the classic email list, Research Units become an ongoing, living repository of resources for your subfield. The problem of just not hearing about the existence of a publication, an archival document, or a regional field site before you start writing will be curtailed by the more people who participate.
Collaboration vs. Competition
We encourage our research groups to be spaces of collaboration, growth, and productive criticism. Hear critiques from your colleagues in person before you see it in print!
Expanding Access
While you might have been struggling to find a resource, it's likely that one of your colleagues has already done so. Research Units will help you access what you need to be a productive scholar.