Call for Proposals

Imagining Humane Institutions: Connection, Social Action and Scholarship Rooted in Contemplative Practices

The ACMHE conference is an annual interdisciplinary forum for all aspects of scholarship and research on contemplative methods in higher education, with a special focus on sharing how contemplative practices can support and sustain learning communities that foster a more just, peaceful, sustainable, and compassionate world.

At the 2018 conference, Imagining Humane Institutions: Connection, Social Action and Scholarship Rooted in Contemplative Practices, we intend to look at ways to expand our community of students, faculty and staff, across disciplines, institutions, and beyond. We will investigate how contemplative pedagogy and epistemology can create greater richness and depth of knowledge. In this conference we will also aim to explore how we can transform the fear and discomfort that often arises in difficult conversations regarding privilege and oppression into greater understanding and the development of more effective strategies for addressing social justice issues.

Presentations at the 2018 conference will explore and raise questions such as those identified below. We also encourage presenters to use the conference as a place to ask and hold questions that may not yet have answers. Students are especially encouraged to apply. The questions below are merely guides, and not meant to be exhaustive of possible topics.

• Reflecting on the last decade of these gatherings, what changes have we seen in this work? What have we learned? Looking forward, how are contemplative practices being used now, what are we working towards, and where do we imagine this work will lead us? How have contemplative approaches helped us promote respect, cooperation, and justice in our institutions?
• How do we use contemplative practice to create community, connection, and ultimately friendship through/across differences? How do these practices help us move through feelings of loneliness and isolation in our institutions? How can we use this year’s conference to seed connections and friendships?
• How do we define rigor in contemplative modes of inquiry? How do contemplative practices help in re-examining Western epistemologies, going beyond third-person inquiry? What constitutes good data? What is the role of spirituality in our work?
• How can we use contemplative practices in dealing with issues of power and oppression? How can we facilitate loving awareness in the presence of discomfort in a way that transforms fear and anger into strength and effective social action?

Guidelines

• Professionals from all areas of higher education, including faculty, students, staff, and administrators, are invited to submit proposals for consideration.
• Presenters must be ACMHE members, or must join the ACMHE before the conference date. Members receive a $50 discount on the conference registration fee.
• Proposals must indicate a session type: parallel or poster. Please refer to the session descriptions for more information.
• Proposals must describe the planned structure of their session, such as the use of visuals, materials, interactive practices or exercises, Q & A, discussion, etc
• The submission deadline for parallel session proposals was Monday, May 28, 2018, at midnight PDT (-07:00 UTC).
• Posters were accepted for review on a rolling basis through Friday, August 31st, 2018, at midnight PDT (-07:00 UTC).
• Proposals will be reviewed and selected by the conference committee; notifications for proposals submitted by May 28th have been sent.

How should I design my parallel session?
We encourage those presenting parallel sessions to model their session(s) on their own practice, modes of teaching, or styles of engagement with faculty, staff, and students. Basic tech/AV (projector, screen and audio) equipment will be available in all of the conference breakout rooms. We invite presenters to employ a variety of teaching and learning practices. Alternatives to fully PowerPoint-dependent presentations are encouraged.

What is the poster session like? Is tech/AV available?
Poster sessions occur simultaneously in a large, shared space. Though tech/AV are not available for poster sessions, past poster presenters have included small, brief interactive elements and handouts in addition to dialogue with attendees to create an engaging experience.