Reading in the Digital Age: R. E. Sterling Havens Writing and Reading Symposium

Call for Papers – Opens April 6, 2026

Deadline for submissions: May 25, 2026 

Sponsored by: R. E. Sterling Havens Writing and Reading Symposium, September 19, 2026

Writing and Reasoning Program, Department of English

Southern Methodist University

Dallas, Texas 75205

Reading in the Digital Age

Reading is one of the oldest academic practices, and certainly one of the most rapidly changing.

In an era of AI-generated summaries, algorithmic feeds, shrinking attention spans, multimodal texts, and evolving literacies, we want to explore: what does it mean to read now? How are our students reading? How should we be teaching it? What practices deserve revival, which ones demand reinvention, and how can we respond to our students’ changing needs?

For the symposium, we invite proposals that reimagine, refresh, and celebrate reading in writing classrooms and across disciplines. This call seeks new approaches, new research, new pedagogies, and renewed commitments to reading as foundational academic power.

We especially encourage proposals/panels that:

• Challenge traditional definitions of reading
• Address digital transformation, AI, and technology 
• Offer practical, adaptable classroom strategies for increased reading comprehension
• Treat reading as a social or collaborative process
• Address equity, access, and inclusion for reading practice
• Bridge disciplines in unexpected ways
• Experiment with formats that enhance reading experiences 

Please submit:

• A 250–300 word abstract outlining your central idea, presentation format, and A/V technology needs
• A 100–150 word current professional bio

Send proposals to: Stephanie Amsel (WRTRProgram@smu.edu)

Subject line: Reading CFP Sterling Havens Symposium SMU, Your Last Name

 Deadline: May 25, 2026