Colorado WASH Symposium 2027 Call for Abstracts

Lea la convocatoria de resúmenes en español.

Lisez l'appel à contributions en français.

 

Thank you for your interest in contributing to the 2027 Colorado Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Symposium! This year, we are hosting a two-day, hybrid* event at the University of Colorado Boulder on March 11th-12th, 2027. Our objective is to provide a space for meaningful discussions across professions and disciplines on critical WASH issues and their respective systemic drivers. We welcome abstract submissions of successful work as well as failed projects to create candid dialogue around some of the most pressing challenges and emerging issues in the WASH field. In keeping with the tradition of accessibility and community engagement, the event is free and open to the public.

Although the symposium will be primarily in English, we welcome French and Spanish abstracts, and will have translation support available in French and Spanish for both presenters and attendees.

Our symposium committee strives to examine and challenge the boundaries, purpose, and impacts of the existing WASH Sector. Thus, we invite you to consider how your work in WASH and sustainable development is connected to and influenced by the root causes of systemic issues, the changing global political atmosphere, and external actors. The theme of the 2027 Colorado WASH Symposium is:

Pushing the Boundaries of WASH

Under this theme, abstracts are suggested to align with one or more of the following subthemes. Alignment is not a criterion for acceptance, so please submit even if your work does not fit explicitly into a specific subtheme. The Planning Committee encourages submission of abstracts rooted in strategic, evidence-based, and data-driven research and practice. Additionally, other forms of presentations that engage audiences and emphasize discussion are strongly encouraged; this may include panels, workshops, discussion facilitation, debates, or any other creative format.

  • Future of WASH: economic/political landscapes of international development, emerging technologies, climate change, innovative financing
  • Voices Not-in-the-Room: Community engagement, “last mile” and vulnerable populations, WASH in HICs, menstrual hygiene management
  • Sovereignty and Justice: colonial legacies, neocolonialism, gender/sexual orientation, conflict areas and refugee camps

Deadline: Abstract deadline is November 6th, 2026. Applicants will be notified of acceptance by early December 2026. Please forward this call to your colleagues as you see fit.

How to Apply: Applicants should click the link below to submit an abstract. Please note that the abstract submission form is also available in Spanish and French. Both versions can be accessed through the same link below.

*Hybrid Participation: We highly encourage in person participation but are aware of the difficulties this can bring. We will be offering only 6-8 virtual presentation opportunities. If you are unable to travel to the symposium but wish to be considered for a virtual presentation you may select the virtual option in the abstract application. Due to the limited number of virtual slots, likelihood to be accepted is higher as an in person applicant.

 

Abstract Submission Portal

Click here to submit your abstract. We look forward to reading your submission!

Haz clic aqui para enviar tu resumen. ¡Esperamos con interés leer tu envío! 

Cliquez ici pour soumettre votre résumé. Nous avons hâte de lire votre proposition!