DIVAS 2024 Conference Theme:

We Lift as We Climb: Empowering Educational Conversations for Our Legacies

As women of color, we draw strength from the wisdom of our ancestors who taught us the importance of uplifting each other. This year's conference theme, "We Lift as We Climb: Empowering Educational Conversations for Our Legacies," encourages presenters to engage in crucial discussions that challenge and confront cultural and racial biases. These conversations will also shed light on the power dynamics and privileges embedded within curriculum, teaching methods, educational policies, and school practices. Embracing the spirit of "We lift as we climb," these dialogues empower us to critically assess and reshape educational systems towards a future that is more just and inclusive.

We invite proposals that:

• Address or extend the conference theme or the D.I.V.A.S’ organizational focus.

• Present strategies and resources to counter cultural and racial biases, emphasizing the power and privilege dynamics embedded in curriculum, pedagogy, educational policies, and schooling practices.

• Draw from such topics that problem solve, theorize, analyze, dream, deconstruct, and/or challenge the status quo and how it impacts the lives of students of color and P-16 education.

• Share ideas and efforts for action and change in local community settings, particularly in the presenter’s locality.

• Proposals due: August 25, 2024

Proposals may be submitted in one of the following three formats:

• Presentation (25 minutes): Presenters are asked to limit papers/presentations to 25 minutes in order to allow time for questions and discussion at the end of the presentation. Proposal Abstract: 250 words or less; Program abstract 50 words or less.

• Interactive Workshop/Performance (50 minutes): We encourage innovative formatting and welcome sessions that include performance, interaction, and discussion. Presenters are asked to format these sessions so that they encourage participant engagement and ensure discussion during and at the end of the session. Proposal Abstract: 250 words or less; Program abstract 50 words or less.

• Poster Session: Poster sessions are reserved for undergraduate and graduate students only. This will be an opportunity for students to present their research on important topics relevant to the conference theme. To encourage faculty-student mentorship, faculty mentors of students are welcome to submit poster proposals for their mentees. Both faculty members and undergraduate students must register separately.  Poster presentations will be presented together during a designated slot.  Proposal Abstract: 125 words or less.