Issues such as immigration, ethnic diversity, and religion are not new topics for most people, least of all scholars. But it is hoped that a new approach to studying such issues will yield fresh insights.

A recently organized international conference at Harvard is paving the way for a new field of scholarship by bringing together more than 30 scholars from 7 nations and 27 universities to discuss the early westward expansion of the Atlantic countries.

Bernard Bailyn, the Adams University Professor and James Duncan Phillips Professor of Early American History Emeritus, organized the "International Seminar on the History of the Atlantic World, 1500-1800," held Sept. 3-11. Three other seminars will be held discussing different aspects of the Atlantic world in the fall semester of years to come.

The participants discussed papers with subjects ranging from Anglo-Dutch connections in the Atlantic world, to the effect on migration of evangelical Protestantism, to African ethnic groups in the slave trade, and a variety of other topics. Several of Harvard's senior historians joined Bailyn in leading the sessions, along with colleagues from Yale, Johns Hopkins, Florida State, and the University of Michigan.

"I think the seminar went wonderfully well," said Bailyn, "The intent is to advance the scholarship of young professionals. Those who attended are young people who are beginning their careers and who are having their first serious research work discussed."

This seminar, as well as those that follow, aims to encourage young historians who are interested in Atlantic history during its formative years and how it relates to the United States. Scholars from France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom attended.

"This is a rare event and a generous act of academic leadership on behalf of Professor Bailyn to bring young scholars together at a beginning stage in their careers," said William Kirby, History Department chair. "This seminar stimulates not only their own work, but their future contacts in developing the field of Atlantic history."

It is Bailyn's goal to create an international community of scholars familiar with intellectual traditions different from their own, who understand America's historical involvement in the Atlantic world, and ultimately, to further their international understanding.

"What attracted me to this seminar are the researchers of diverse backgrounds," said Maurice Bric, from University College Dublin, Ireland. "This is a true community of scholars. There are people dealing with the same research questions or problems within their own contexts, and we are able to share our ideas and results."

During the sessions, participants delivered position papers on topics such as slavery and resettlement, the convict trade, and the diaspora of Huguenots and Jews. Another part of the seminar involved an interactive demonstration about designing a CD-ROM exploring migration in modern world history.

The participants and its theme will change each year, with 1997's seminar to discuss political and constitutional aspects of Atlantic history. Young historians from Spain, Portugal, and Latin America, as well as northern Europe and the United States, will be involved.

"What struck me is the quality of the seminar," said Kirby. "Bailyn has created a new field, bringing scholars together from Europe and the United States who otherwise might not have met until a much later stage of their careers."

The seminars are being conducted under the auspices of the Charles Warren Center for Studies in American History and supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.