Homecoming: Finding a Place for Renewal in the Profession

What does it mean to renew ourselves in the context of our professions? In some ways, it seems as though the pandemic is mostly behind us. What does it mean, then, for us to find our way back "home," especially when home has changed so much over the last three years? More importantly, when we have changed--if we are different--then the places we abide in are different, too. How do we relate to the homes we've made and inhabited, or that we're trying to find? How do we reinvent home as needed? How do we make sure it's a space that is comfortable and invigorating for ourselves, our colleagues, and our students? This retreat seeks to consider the ways our pedagogical practices and approaches have changed in the face of radical times.

How do we meet our students in these new commonplaces, and how do we renew ourselves, too?

Carolinas WPA invites submissions for presentations, discussion roundtables, workshop ideas, or other forms of conversation-starters to be held at our fall conference at Wildacres Retreat in Little Switzerland, NC, on Sept. 11-13, 2023.

• Presentations can include the following, but the only limitation on format or content is your imagination: traditional presentations of research, concepts you’ve tried with meaningful success in the classroom, ideas around pedagogy and teaching you feel are worth sharing, reflections from the field, and so much more. You’re only bound by your imagination, so don’t be shy to try something different! (30 or 60 minute presentations, including Q&A) 

• Discussion roundtables involve large or small group dialogue around a central theme or subtopic. These can include case studies, “problem/solution” scenarios, or practical applications that benefit from group discussions. Responses to published think pieces related to our field or provoking questions that help usher meaningful reflection are also invited. (45 or 60 minute presentations, including Q&A) 

• Workshop ideas are more participatory. These might include developing assignment concepts, revising syllabi based on research, reflection, or new pedagogical approaches, exploring new classroom activities, etc.  (45 or 60 minute presentations, including Q&A) 

• Other possibilities are concepts that are still in creation mode. Maybe it’s an idea you have brewing for publication, or a larger conference. Maybe it’s the beginning stages of IRB study that you’d like feedback for. Maybe it’s just space to share reflections on the past few years and hear, “me, too.”  (30 or 60 minute presentations, including Q&A) 

Proposals include:

1. Names and contact information (email, phone, home institution) for each person associated with your proposal

2. Type of presentation/roundtable/workshop/etc. and time requested, if any

3. A title and 200-word (more or less) description for the program

Deadline for proposals and registration:  August 25, 2023

Registration payment can be completed by responding to the invoice emailed to you from Carolinas WPA (should arrive soon!). More information at https://www.carolinaswpa.org/conferences/fall-conference/

We recognize that there are many reasons for caution about an in-person conference, especially a rural retreat, during the COVID pandemic. Wildacres has available at the top of its home page a “Commitment to Care Plan” document outlining the protocols the staff has in place for visitors: https://wildacres.org/ . Additionally, we will look at CDC recommendations leading up to Wildacres. At the moment, we will ask participants to mask indoors during presentations and group meetings. Outdoor and inside personal occupancy spaces (bedrooms) will be left to participant discretion. Please note, masking policies are subject to change. Our wish is to be respectful and safe!

LOGISTICS:

Please visit https://wildacres.org/ to get a sense of the location, which truly is serene. All meals are provided at the conference center. Please note below or email Shawn with any dietary needs or restrictions that we should be made aware of. Lodging is dorm style accommodations with private bathroom. Each room has two beds, a private bathroom. Spaces have common areas to hang out -- both indoors and out. If you have a roommate preference, please indicate so on the form.

Questions can be sent to Shawn Bowers (bowerss@queens.edu).