Call for Proposals

Computers and Writing Conference, May 24–27, 2018
Deadline for submissions: Friday, November 17, 2017
Conference host: George Mason University, Dr. Douglas Eyman
Location: Fairfax, VA
Contact email: deyman@gmu.edu

Submission opens: September 15 | Submission for peer review closes: Friday, October 20 | Submission closes: Friday, November 17 | Acceptance notification: January 5

Our theme for the 2018 Computers and Writing conference is Digital Phronesis: Culture/Code/Play. Often described as “practical wisdom,” phronesis represents an enactment of good judgment guided by both learned knowledge and lived experience. Phronesis comes from our histories, our education, and reflections on our experiences. We encourage submissions to focus on intersections of formal learning and embodied experience.

We also encourage submissions that related to the three main research strands of this year’s conference: digital humanities, game design, and undergraduate research.

Suggested topics for proposals include (but are not limited to):

  • Filling the gap between writing in the classroom and writing “out in the world”
  • Marginalization as embodied experience informing composition, pedagogy, access, and usability
  • Risks and opportunities of writing and living in digital spaces
  • Codes of ethics and codes of conduct for teaching, writing, and playing
  • Strategies for teaching or researching serious topics playfully or playful topics seriously
  • Intersections between digital humanities and composition, in research and in practice
  • Intersections between game design and composition, in research and in practice
  • Strategies for engaging and sustaining undergraduate research

Session Types and Instructions

Presenters are limited to two (2) speaking roles (marked by asterisks below) but may participate in as many other participant roles as desired:

  • *Roundtable Discussion, with 4 or more presenters - 150- to 200-word abstract, 600-word proposal
  • *Panel Presentation, with 3 to 4 presenters - 150- to 200-word abstract, 600-word proposal
  • *Individual Presentation - 75- to 100-word abstract, 250-word proposal  
  • Poster presentation, by individual or collaborative presenters (1 poster per submission) - 150-200-word abstract. Note: Posters will be displayed during all three days of the conference, but presenters must be present for potential discussions during one set poster session time.
  • *Mini-Workshop - 150- to 200-word abstract, 300-word proposal, AND outline of proposed activities. In 75-minute session, presenters will instruct attendees on a new tool, technological procedure, or teaching technique.
  • Half-Day or Full-Day Pre-Conference Workshop - 150- to 200-word abstract, 600-word proposal, AND outline of proposed activities. Pre-conference workshops are intended to involve participants in a technology or process that rewards intensive work, giving them opportunities to learn new applications, assessment, and integration of emergent technologies for learning or teaching anything related to composition, from content management to game development. Workshops are participatory, so proposals should articulate how attendees will interact with each other, the presenters, or technologies involved.

Panel presentations, roundtable discussions, individual presentations, and poster presentations will be scheduled during 75-minute concurrent sessions, on May 25, 26, or 27. Each presenter can anticipate having 15 to 20 minutes to present. Interactive sessions are encouraged!

Half-day workshops and full-day workshops will run during the preconference on May 24. Half-day workshops will have about 3 hours, and full-day workshops will have 6 to 7 hours.

If you submit a workshop proposal, please identify what technologies or tools participants will need.

Look for our separate CFP for the Undergraduate Research Symposium and Competition on September 5, 2017.

Proposals will be accepted at the Computers and Writing Conference site:  http://candwcon.org/2018/

Please contact Dr. Eyman, CW 2018 chair with questions: deyman@gmu.edu

ALL DISCIPLINES WELCOME!