CWA Newsletter - Invitation to Submit Theme Proposals

CWA 2024 has been set for April 12-14, 2024. The program is being developed by the CWA Program Committee, which consists of student and community Chairs of each of our standing committees. In order to help focus the program content, and ensure timely and stimulating panels, panelists, and discussion, we are inviting suggestions for Themes.  

Anyone is welcome to submit their ideas, so please forward this to individuals or groups who you think may be interested.

Structure for Themes for the 2024 conference will be a little different than in past years. For 2024 we will identify 3-5 overarching themes that will guide the content of the program planning process (topics, speakers, panels).  The standing committees (Arts, Business, Human Conditions, International Affairs, Science and Technology, etc.) will invite speakers who can address the theme topics, thus providing multiple perspectives on each topic.  (This is different than in the past, where each theme became its own “committee.”)

Theme Proposals will be elicited via an online application portal (preferred), which can be found here: https://forms.gle/XcSoSiDc2fbNA6TX8

Alternatively, proposals may be submitted in a Word document, not exceed 2 pages, and emailed to cwa@colorado.edu.  

Goals and guidelines for including themes as guiding the development of conference content:

All themes should explicitly reflect the mission, vision and values of CWA https://www.colorado.edu/cwa/about/cwa-overview and the University of Colorado Boulder https://www.colorado.edu/academicaffairs/about-academic-affairs . Links at the bottom of this email provide additional information about current university priorities that might guide ideas. Themes will be used to focus the content of the conference panels, but early identification allows us to also use the themes for recruiting volunteers (both community and students), coordinating with University faculty and staff,  and marketing to potential sponsors.

REQUIRED ELEMENTS

1. Theme Title (working title or conceptual ok)

2. Description of the purpose of the Theme

3. How is this Theme consistent with the mission and vision of the university and CWA.

4. Ideas of likely panel topics

HIGHLY SUGGESTED INFORMATION TO INCLUDE

5. Examples of potential speakers

6. How will this theme advance the CWA commitment to inclusivity and to multicultural and intellectual diversity in speakers, and discussion that includes multiple voices and perspectives.   

7. How the theme is interdisciplinary and intersects with our standing committees’ areas of focus

8. How the theme intersects with academic programs or departments at CU and can encourage faculty engagement.

9. How the theme might encourage student attendance

10. How the theme might be used to encourage community attendance

11. Potential companies and foundations that may be interested in underwriting the theme topic

12. Suggestions for individuals who may “curate” the theme content, working with Program Committee members on speaker invitations and to ensure the conceptual integrity and diversity goals.

13. Ideas for a possible keynote speaker that might arise from this topic area (note: actual keynote speakers will be selected by keynote committee members outside of the individual themes).

Theme proposals should be submitted via questionnaire HERE, or can be emailed to cwa@colorado.edu.  The deadline for submissions is Friday August 4th at noon.  

 Theme proposers may be invited to make a brief presentation of their proposal to the Program Chairs in early August.  The CWA Subcommittee Chairs will then cast an advisory vote which will be forwarded to the 2024 Theme Selection Committee.

 Because the choice of themes affects not only CWA’s programming but also its ability to market and fundraise for the Conference, a variety of CWA stakeholders will be represented on the Theme Selection Committee. The Selection Committee will consist of the 2024 Community Program Chair, the Student Program Chair, the Interim Director, the Community Outreach Chair, and a representative of CU’s Office of Strategic Relations.  Theme proposers will be notified of the selection outcomes by August 14th.

 We look forward to receiving your theme proposals for CWA 2024!

Best, 

CWA Program Committee