Who We Are

The Northeast Modern Language Association (NeMLA) is a non-profit organization of teachers and scholars of literature, language, and culture.

A regional affiliate of the Modern Language Association (MLA), NeMLA provides a forum for the dissemination of scholarship and the advancement of teaching in modern languages and literatures. Every year, the NeMLA Convention affords NeMLA’s principal opportunity to carry on a tradition of lively research and pedagogical exchange. This four-day long event showcases different areas of inquiry and includes regular panels, roundtables, seminars, interactive workshops, special events, caucus meetings, literary readings, film screenings, and guest speakers.

Building on a rich tradition of excellence, the University at Buffalo supports the mission of NeMLA by serving as its institutional and administrative host. In addition, each NeMLA Annual Convention is sponsored by a local host institution.

History

NeMLA was founded at the 1967 New York - Pennsylvania MLA by William Wehmeyer of St. Bonaventure University and other MLA members interested in continuing scholarly discourse at annual conventions smaller than those hosted by the MLA. With F. M. Burelbach as the editor of the NeMLA Newsletter (later Modern Language Studies), Wehmeyer organized conferences in April 1968 and in April 1969 at St. Bonaventure. In 1969, the organization moved to wider regional membership, election of officers, formal affiliation with MLA, and adoption of its present name.

In 2013, the University at Buffalo signed a 4-year contract to serve as NeMLA’s administrative host institution. In 2016, the contract was renewed until 2020.

Most members of NeMLA today are professors, graduate students, and independent scholars from colleges and universities in the Northeast, including Delaware, New England, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and eastern Canada.