Graduate Students in English Interdisciplinary Conference 2026

Call for Papers on the Theme: “Transformation”

University of Arkansas at Fayetteville – March 14-15, 2026

The Graduate Students in English at University of Arkansas in Fayetteville invite proposals on the theme “Transformation,” a topic as broad as the literary and academic canons themselves. As we bear witness to changes in higher education landscapes across disciplines, we might consider how our own perceptions have evolved, what has been reliable in scholarship historically, and what needs to adapt.

Submission Topic Ideas (This is not exhaustive. We want to see your ideas.)

• Evolutions in Genre Literature

• Intersections of Transformations, Translation, and Adaptation

• Transformations in the Literary and Academic Publishing Industry

• Transformations in Politics and the Global Economy

• Digital Humanities, AI and the Evolution of Technology

• Theories of Social Transformation

• Gender Studies Transformation and Evolution

• Transmutation, Bodily Transformation, and Alternate Realities in Film and Literature 

• Evolution of Healthcare Research and Medical Humanities

• Ecosystem Transformations and Climate Change

• Transformations in and from Game Studies

• Transformative Pedagogy in STEM and Humanities 

• Cultural Syncretisms in Anthropology, Sociology, and Comparative Studies

Submission Instructions: 

Proposals for papers, creative works and group panels should include the following: Your name(s), Preferred email address(es), School affiliation(s), Student/Faculty Status, and a 250-word abstract describing the proposed topic and structure of your presentation. Abstracts should be submitted by January 12th, 2026 to uarkgse2026@gmail.com. This conference is free to all current undergraduate and graduate students attending the University of Arkansas, as well as faculty of the University. Submissions from outside the University of Arkansas system will, if selected, pay a registration fee of $25. In addition to the paper and panel sessions, the conference will include a keynote address and other planned activities.

Writing Contest:

The Graduate Students in English will also sponsor a writing contest with awards to be presented during the keynote address. Winners must be present at the conference and attend the keynote in order to receive their prize. Awards will be given in the following categories:

• Best Undergrad Academic Paper

• Best Graduate Academic Paper

• Best Creative Work

• Best Overall Work

Contest submissions (final drafts) must be submitted by email to uarkgse2026@gmail.com by January 12th, 2026. All submissions will be considered for awards unless presenters request otherwise.

All questions regarding the conference should be directed to the Graduate Students in English organization at uarkgse2026@gmail.com.