Who we are
The International Shaw Society is committed to embodying the Shavian spirit of challenge that is the hallmark of a healthy free society, while resisting the divisiveness and intolerance that threaten the fabric of our shared human experience. The ISS aims to be a thriving nexus of scholarship, debate, artistry, and community. We nurture and support emerging ideas across a broad spectrum, while fostering a thoughtful international community, engaging with the widest possible participation, and shaping the direction of the discourse for future generations.
For a more detailed account, read What is the ISS?
Each year around Shaw’s birthday (July 26) we co-host an annual Symposium weekend in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada, with the Shaw Festival, a professional repertory theatre company. The Symposium program includes talks and paper presentations, workshops conducted by members of the Shaw Festival company, opportunities to see Shaw Festival productions, and discussions with members of the company. Previous symposia have sometimes also included staged readings by our own “Not Ready for Prime Time Players.”
Every few years we also hold larger conferences at locations that have a connection to Shaw or Shaw scholarship and materials. Past conferences have been held in the United States, Canada, Spain, England, and Ireland. See the Conferences & Events tab for more information on past and upcoming conferences.
The International Shaw Society is pleased to be able to make some funding available for graduate students and newer scholars to help support research into Shaw-related topics and participation in ISS conferences and symposia.
Click on the Scholarships tab for more information about funding to support your Shaw-related research.
