Professor Frank Mehring at Radboud University

American Studies in times of Transatlantic confrontation

19 June 2025 News item

An interview with Frank Mehring, new president of the Netherlands American Studies Association

As the Netherlands American Studies Association (NASA) welcomes its new president, Professor Frank Mehring shares his vision for the field. In this interview, he reflects on the relevance of American Studies in turbulent times, outlines NASA’s upcoming plans, and emphasizes the importance of local engagement and international collaboration.

Frank, first of all, congratulations on your new role. How do you feel about this moment in American Studies?

Thank you! I’m honored and energized. The past few months have reminded me why American Studies matters. We are living in a time of global uncertainty and increasing pressure on higher education. But I continue to be inspired by the creativity, resilience and critical thinking I see across our community, especially among students and early-career researchers. American Studies offers essential tools to understand and respond to current developments, not just from an academic distance but as active participants in the Netherlands.

You mentioned turbulent times. What role can American Studies play in that context?

Our field operates at the intersection of history, politics and culture. Right now, transatlantic relations are being challenged, through economic friction, shifting alliances within NATO, and divergent views on global conflicts, such as the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. These are not abstract issues; they force us to confront urgent questions about values, solidarity, and the meaning of democracy – and the role of the US in global contexts.

This year, especially, as the Netherlands marks 80 years since its liberation, I find myself thinking more deeply on the cost of freedom, and how we preserve it. American Studies is uniquely equipped to help answer that.

You’ve emphasized the importance of connecting American Studies to local contexts. What does that look like?

One of my goals as NASA president is to strengthen the connection between American Studies programs and their surrounding communities. The field isn’t just something we study, it should be something we live. It becomes more relevant when we link it to local histories and experiences.

That’s why I and a number of colleagues have been involved in public transatlantic history projects such as Faces of Liberation (Amsterdam University Press), which explores the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery through transnational memory and life stories. A companion volume, Songs of Liberation in the Netherlands (2025), uses music as a key to find the cost of freedom, just like the song by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young on the Vietnam War. Both projects aim to open up American Studies to broader audiences and make space for dialogue between scholarship and lived experience.

You've also spoken about building stronger ties within the Dutch and European American Studies networks. What are you envisioning?

We have vibrant American Studies programs across the Netherlands, but they don’t always connect as much as they could. I want to help foster stronger relationships between Dutch institutions and create more consistent exchange between faculty, PhD candidates, and students. In addition to our contacts to our North American Studies colleagues across the Atlantic, we want to deepen our collaboration with the European Association for American Studies. Strengthening those networks will enrich our conversations and expand opportunities for everyone involved.

What recent events stand out to you?

Without a doubt, this year’s Amerikanistendag at the University of Amsterdam. We welcomed over 100 participants and featured 33 student presentations from across the Netherlands, Germany and beyond. The atmosphere was fantastic, intellectually stimulating, warm, supportive and dynamic. It was a powerful reminder that American Studies is alive and thriving, even in a time of institutional uncertainty.

What’s next for NASA?

We’re organising a Student Career Day in Nijmegen on 27 June. It’s an opportunity for students to explore career paths, meet alumni and connect with mentors. We’ll also address concerns about research travel to the US and share resources to support mobility and funding. So mark the day in your calendars!

Beyond that, we recently co-organized the international conference A Water’s History of the United States (21–23 May) together with the Roosevelt Institute for American Studies and the Theodore Roosevelt Center. Sustainability, inclusivity and public engagement were key themes. This topic will continue to resonate on what I call a sustainable American Studies.

Finally, what motivates you most in your work?

James Baldwin once wrote: “I love America more than any other country in the world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.” That line resonates deeply with me. American Studies is about balancing affection with critique, about understanding and criticizing at the same time. That spirit, I think, runs through everything we do.

And more than anything, I remain confident and feel energized by the students, PHDs, teachers, and researchers in this community. Every lecture, conference, or conversation reminds me: our work in American Studies in the Netherlands matters – particularly in times of transatlantic confrontations.

Thank you, Frank, and all the best for your term as president.

Contact information

Organizational unit: Radboud Institute for Culture and History, Faculty of Arts
About person: Prof. F. Mehring (Frank)