A Call for Proposals

The call for proposals is CLOSED. This page is for reference only.

The Peace and Justice Studies Association (PJSA) and the Gandhi-King Conference (GKC) are pleased to announce our first-ever jointly sponsored annual conference, “A Living Movement: Toward a World of Peace, Solidarity and Justice.” We welcome proposals from a wide range of disciplines, professions and perspectives that address issues related to the broad themes of solidarity, community, advocacy, education and activism as they are brought to bear in the pursuit of peace and justice.

In particular, we seek to explore how civil rights and grassroots organizing can be reimagined and reinvigorated as essential tools for peacemaking and addressing structural violence. We will examine the many dimensions of identity construction and political association as they relate to contemporary issues, such as immigration, prisons, housing and schools, and we will strive to analyze the complex interweaving of these issues in the context of local communities, framed by an ever-changing global landscape. We especially welcome contributions that explore the theories, histories and legacies of Civil Rights and other social movements, including those addressing questions of environmental justice, first nations, urban landscapes and militarism.

Submissions may propose offerings in various forms: research papers, presentations, round-tables, panels, hands-on workshops, posters and creative works using a variety of media to address the broad themes identified above. Our goal is to create a stimulating environment where scholars, activists, educators, practitioners, artists and students can build community and explore connections. We invite participants to engage in various modes of exploration, including papers and presentations, hands-on practitioner workshops and a youth summit. We aim to foster an experience in which attendees will have multiple opportunities to meet and dialogue in both formal and informal settings, against the unique historical backdrop of Memphis, TN.