Jenna Pittman
The “Researching and Writing with Details in Mind: A Conversation with Bryant Simon,” event held by Duke History Hub facilitated a vibrant discussion among the faculty and students from the History Department over lunch on September 19th. Professor Adrienne Lentz-Smith acted as a conversation facilitator with Dr. Bryant Simon, Professor of History and Academic Chair of the University Honors Program at Temple University. Professor Simon shared an unfinished draft of a manuscript on the history of public bathrooms in America.
Students and faculty engaged in insightful conversations pertaining to the history of public bathrooms, gender, and public spaces as facilitators of inequality. Professor Simon shared his methodology and writing process, including techniques that he finds helpful in conducting archival research and organizing research information. Opportunities to share and discuss work, such as the conversation with Professor Simon, prove helpful for writers, faculty, and students alike.