CALL FOR SPEAKERS
Catherine Lambrecht's presentation in Bloomington, IL.
Illinois Humanities Road Scholars Speakers Bureau 2026-2027
Apply: July 1, 2025, 9:00 a.m. CST - August 29, 2025, 5:00 p.m.
About the Program:
The Illinois Humanities’ Road Scholars Speakers Bureau brings engaging humanities experts—such as historians, writers, and artists—to communities across Illinois for free public talks and discussions at nonprofit organizations, including libraries, museums, arts councils, historical societies, civic groups, and many others.
About the Call:
Illinois Humanities invites Illinois-based writers, storytellers, historians, humanities scholars, folklorists, musicians, and performers, among others, to share their knowledge and enthusiasm with people throughout Illinois. Speakers who are selected to join our Road Scholars Speakers roster will receive a set amount per presentation based on the mileage and event format. This amount is intended to cover a $300 honorarium as well as necessary lodging and meals.
We’re seeking Illinois residents who have:
- Deep knowledge about and passion for the topic they wish to offer presentations about.
- Public speaking or teaching experience.
- An engaging presence.
- A high level of comfort facilitating discussions with people from diverse cultural, geographic, and economic backgrounds.
- A talent for finding interesting perspectives on subjects both obscure and familiar.
Strong Applicants will:
- Be very interested in traveling to communities throughout Illinois.
- Be excited about the opportunity to interact with a wide range of people.
Illinois Humanities is particularly interested in recruiting Road Scholars who represent the diversity of perspectives, voices, and experiences of the people who call Illinois home. We encourage people who are fluent and willing to present in languages other than English to apply.
We invite applicants to submit presentation proposals on topics that represent a wide range of disciplines, including history, literature, art, music, philosophy, government, heritage, culture, and the natural and social sciences, as they relate to the humanities. For every application round, we also seek a few speakers with topics that align with themes of our upcoming programming. For the 2026-2027, this programming includes:
THEME 1: The 250th Anniversary of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence
We encourage speakers whose presentation topics elevate under-told stories and illuminate the ideals of the Declaration of Independence, such as equality, the pursuit of happiness, liberty, and justice. Presentations might also explore the following themes and topics:
- “We the People” in Illinois – organizing efforts, boycotts, war, politics, individual and collective action toward the formation of a more perfect union
- The Power of Place in Illinois –our natural and built environment (land, waterways, buildings, monuments, memorials, etc.) and how they have and continue to shape the settlement, migration, and development of our state
THEME 2: The ways in which Native Americans are deeply entwined with the culture and history of Illinois
Illinois is made up of the territories and lands of the people of Potawatomi, Ojibwe, and Odawa Nations, as well as many other tribes who have called this land home, including the Miami, Ho-Chunk, and Menominee Nations. These Nations were forcefully removed from their traditional territories; however, Illinois continues to carry the stories, resilience, and tenacity of these Nations. We encourage applications that explore this history as well as:
- Indigenous Culture & Continuity –contributions to community and culture past and present (art, crafts, language, history, land, agriculture, food, etc.); myths and misrepresentations
- Resistance, Resilience, & Leadership –significant figures in politics, civic life, and education, past and present; ongoing activism around land rights and environmental justice
Application Process:
- Applications for the 2026-2027 Road Scholars Speakers Bureau will be accepted from 9:00 a.m. CST on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, through 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 29, 2025.
- Invitations to attend a virtual interview (that includes a 15-minute demo of part of your presentation) will be sent on a rolling basis.
- To access the application and for more information about expectations and compensation, visit: ilhumanities.org/speaker-call.
- Prior to applying, we encourage you to watch this short video that provides further details on what we are looking for and how to strengthen your application.
If you have any questions about the Road Scholars Speakers Bureau program, contact Nicole Rodriguez at speakers@ilhumanities.org or 312-374-1558.
What you need to know to become a Road Scholar:
Please read through each section below. We encourage you to watch this short video that provides further details on what we are looking for and how to strengthen your application.
Requirements
We’re seeking Illinois-based speakers who demonstrate the following characteristics:
- Expertise and passion in the subject matter on which they wish to offer presentations;
- Public speaking or teaching experience;
- An engaging presence and the ability to facilitate discussion among audiences of diverse cultural and economic backgrounds;
- A talent for finding interesting perspectives on subjects both obscure and familiar;
- Interest in visiting communities throughout Illinois and interacting with a wide range of people; and
- Representation of multiple perspectives and voices that reflect the diversity of Illinois – including, but not limited to, the experiences of communities of color, indigenous communities, LGBTQ+ communities, immigrant communities, rural communities, communities living in poverty, and working-class communities. We encourage those who are fluent and willing to present in languages other than English to apply.
Expectations
Illinois Humanities Road Scholar Speakers are asked to do the following:
- up to five presentations during each program year (at times mutually arranged with host organizations);
- Attend a half-day virtual speaker orientation;
- Encourage dialogue and conversation among their program audiences;
- Provide their own mode of transportation (travel costs are reimbursed by Illinois Humanities);
- Reach out to potential host organizations whenever possible to generate interest in their presentation; and
- Respond to host organization requests in a timely manner.
Compensation
Speakers who are selected to join our Road Scholars Speakers roster will receive a set amount per presentation based on the mileage and event format. This amount is intended to cover a $300 honorarium as well as necessary lodging and meals.
Presentations Topics & Formats
Illinois Humanities seeks speakers representing a wide range of disciplines and professional activities, including history, literature, art, music, philosophy, government, and the natural and social sciences insofar as they relate to the humanities. While an academic background in your proposed topic is not a requirement, we do seek presentations that reflect thorough research and thoughtful interpretation. We do not consider instructional workshops or how-to programs (e.g., “Learn How to Speak in Public”).
In general, we’re looking for topics that pique our curiosity, surprise our intellects, and offer the potential to fuel inquiry and conversation about ideas and works that shape our culture.
We also welcome a variety of presentation styles and formats, particularly those that engage audiences actively – such as musical or theatrical performances, and workshops that encourage storytelling, dialogue, and co-creation. We’re happy to consider lectures with question-and-answer sessions, but if you’d rather facilitate a discussion on a novel or lead the audience in a chorus of a Civil War song, we’d love to hear about what you have in mind.
Timeline
- Applications for the 2026-2027 Road Scholars Speakers Bureau will be accepted from 9:00 a.m. CST on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, through 5:00 p.m. CST on Friday, August 29, 2025, and reviewed by a committee of Illinois Humanities staff, host organization representatives, and former Road Scholars speakers.
- Invitations to attend a virtual interview (that includes a 15-minute demo of part of your presentation) will be sent on a rolling basis.
- All applicants will be notified of decisions by the end of the day on Friday, October 3, 2025.
Complete this interest form to be notified when the application opens again.
Contact Us
Nicole Rodriguez
Senior Manager of Community Conversations
speakers@ilhumanities.org
(312) 374-1558
Funders
Contact
Suite 650, 125 South Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60603
312.422.5580 312.374.6787
600 Troy Road
N4, Room 207
Edwardsville, IL 62025
618.468.5580
Illinois Humanities is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Illinois General Assembly [through the Illinois Arts Council], as well as by contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporations.
Illinois Humanities respects the privacy of its audiences and will at no time sell or distribute personal information to any party not directly affiliated with Illinois Humanities and its programs.
Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed by speakers, program participants, or audiences do not necessarily reflect those of the NEH, Illinois Humanities, our partnering organizations, or our funders.
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