Texts at Work

Labor in the Liberal Arts

The New York College English Association and

The Pennsylvania College English Association

October 3-4, 2025

SUNY Alfred State

Keynote presentation: Dr. Rose Zaloom, Content Writer, Friends of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo

Call for Papers

Abstracts of 250 words are requested by August 15, 2025, on topics related to the conference theme: TEXTS AT WORK.  Abstracts may be submitted via email to Dr. Travis Matteson, SUNY Alfred State, at NewYorkCEA@gmail.com. Please include your name, title, and institutional affiliation with your abstract. Conference presentations will be limited to 15 minutes.

In a time when the idea of “work” continues to be redefined by automation, Artificial Intelligence, the Great Resignation, the Great Gloom, and the gig economy, we invite papers that explore a variety of topics including:

• the humanities and the professions
• reading as labor
• online instruction for literature & writing
• contingent faculty and the tenure track
• implications of Artificial Intelligence
• the English curriculum
• labor activism and literature
• literary engagement with appropriated, coercive, or unpaid labor
• representations of work and labor in poetry, fiction, drama, graphic novels, digital media, lyrics, film, series, creative nonfiction, YA & adult genre fiction, fanfiction & adaptation
• any other topics related to literature, writing, and pedagogy.

Graduate Students: Submit early to be considered for the prize for best graduate student paper and look for the career roundtable on the conference program.

Virtual Presenters: We have virtual presentation option! If you plan to present or attend virtually, please select "Virtual" for your registration type.