Colleges and universities across the country are under attack.  Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives have lost funding and faced multiple challenges to curriculum.  DEI offices have been shuttered, and support groups have been eliminated.  Much of the effect has been felt in the Humanities, which has always served as a space for free discussion of writing and literature that embraces diversity.  Such conversation is in many ways our lifeblood.

As an organization founded to preserve continuing scholarly discourse in more intimate venues, NeMLA champions diversity of thought, equity of participation, and inclusion of scholars across geographical and disciplinary bounds.  Yet how do we celebrate diversity while acknowledging—and not running afoul of—those who would seek to devalue it?  How can we use this cultural moment to (re)generate our ideas about what diversity, equity, and inclusion can mean when they’re under attack? 

From pedagogical practices and classroom activities to personal responses to institutional and federal challenges, proposals are sought that consider an interdisciplinary approach to the humanities’ DEI responses.  This session calls for examples of innovative ways presenters have integrated concepts of the Humanities that reify diversity, equity, and inclusion into their courses and curriculum.  As in NeMLA’s call for proposals, this session seeks to empower ourselves as teachers of writing and literature to seek justice through positive change.  We seek proposals that, in the words of the call, “will help us better understand the present crises and move us into a period of sustainable and equitable regeneration.” 

From pedagogical practices and classroom activities to personal responses to institutional and federal challenges, proposals are sought that consider an interdisciplinary approach to the humanities’ DEI responses.  This session calls for examples of innovative ways presenters have integrated concepts of the Humanities that reify diversity, equity, and inclusion into their courses and curriculum.

Please submit abstracts through the official NeMLA portal, found here: https://cfplist.com/nemla/Home/S/21881