2019 Spring Conference CFP

University of Findlay, Findlay, OH
Saturday, April 06, 2019

Keynote Speaker: Christine Denecker, University of Findlay

(Re)Claiming our voices in this turbulent political season informs our conference topic this year as we explore speaking, writing, and reading in English studies. Most of us are born with the ability to learn to vocalize, but how we are taught to claim our voices, and how to express ourselves (or how not to) creates distinction in our communication styles. Institutions of higher education should encourage students (and faculty) to use their “voices,” through writing and speaking in the classroom and in venues beyond the university. Students look to faculty for mentorship and examples to follow; if we aren’t claiming our voices, will they? It is this concept of speech both inside and outside the academy that will be our focus when we gather at the University of Findlay in 2019.

Findlay, is known as “Flag City, USA” thanks to the efforts of John Cooke, who in the 1960s voiced his belief that every American should fly the American flag on Flag Day. He worked to raise money to fund small flags enough for everyone in the community which eventually led to an official resolution of the U.S. House of Representatives on May 7, 1974 to give the city its nickname. One man. One voice. With the increased national focus on social justice issues and politics, CEAO encourages members to consider what differences could be made if we each used our voice toward positive change.

Possible topics might include:

• Balancing speaking and writing in the classroom
• Opening spaces for underrepresented voices
• Designing courses to include diverse student voices
• Quieting the [other] voices in our heads
• Speaking our truths in English studies
• Examining perceptions of the student voice in speaking and writing
• Researching voice in the spoken and written word
• Encouraging student voices
• Bringing oppressed voices on college campuses into the conversation
• Missing / lost voices in English studies
• Speaking and writing “reset” in (re)claiming our voices
• Engaging academic voices on campuses and in English departments

This year’s CEAO Spring Conference accepts proposals for individual 15-20 minute sessions or 60 minute panel sessions from full-time faculty, graduate students, adjunct and part-time instructors, as well as individuals living/working both inside and outside Ohio. We invite proposals for individual speakers, panels, roundtables, and creative works from all related fields in English studies including (but not limited to):

Literature Fields (Medieval, Renaissance, Global, Modernist, 18thCentury, etc.)
Literary Criticism
Creative Writing
Rhetoric and Composition
English Education
Linguistics / ESL
Basic Writing
Dual Enrollment

Submission Requirements:  Send proposals of no more than 300 words by Friday, March 8, 2019 to: ceaospringconference@gmail.com Creative writing submissions should include poetry or fiction/nonfiction suitable for a 20 minute reading. All proposals submitted by the deadline will be considered. In addition, include your name, academic rank, university affiliation, and a short 100-150 word biography in the email message. Technology (computers, projector, DVD, etc.) will be available for all presentations. Please note if you have a special technology request.

Participants may submit both a critical paper and a creative work, limited to one entry in each category, sent together as separate attachments in the same email. The Committee will notify entrants by March 22nd on the status of their proposal.
Please visit https://ceaoenglishnotes.com for additional information.  Presenters must be registered for the conference by the deadline.

Download a PDF of the call for proposals here: CEAO CFP 2019.