The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted many of the social support structures upon which we relied, demonstrating both the fragility and importance of being part of a larger group. Whether in moments of uncertainty and fear, or times of celebration and engagement, our communities serve an integral function in our personal and professional lives as educators, learners, and citizens. This year’s CEAO Spring Conference will explore the various ways we have responded to the need for a network of others and how we might continue the work of (re)building communities and promoting belonging in English Studies.  

We welcome all topics relating to English Studies as well as those that speak to our conference theme. Possible topics relating to community and belonging might include:

• Efforts to define and redefine community and belonging 

• Attention to literary texts that address community and belonging in ways that speak to our present moment 

• Community building pedagogical practices along with practices that heighten feelings of belonging in literature, rhetoric, composition, creative writing, ESL, and linguistics courses;

• Ways of reading, writing, assessing, and teaching different genres, such as novels, short stories, poems, non-fiction, and digital texts that concern community and belonging;

• Promoting new practices for engaging students in the community, the university/college, and the classroom through civic engagement, service learning, multidisciplinary and other outreach opportunities;

• Supporting community and belongingwithin and through administrative and programmatic practices within English Studies;

We welcome work by creative writers. We will offer panels with time for 15 - 20 minute readings of creative works, and/ or creative writers are welcome to apply to lead a 60 minute creative writing workshop.

CEAO welcomes proposals for:

• individual 15-20 minute sessions (including creative writing readings),

• Pre-arranged panels with multiple speakers (60 minutes) 

• 60 minute workshop sessions (all topics)

We seek submissions from full-time faculty, graduate students, adjunct and part-time instructors, as well as individuals living/working both inside and outside of Ohio. Faculty presenting projects with undergraduate students are also welcome. Proposals from faculty and administrators from institutions of all sizes and types—public, private, community—are encouraged to apply.

Send proposals of 300 words or fewer by February 1, 2023 through this link.   

The conference will be held at the Miami University Regionals campus at the Voice of American Learning Center in West Chester, Ohio.