54th Annual Scholars’ Conference, Op-Ed

In addition to traditional papers and panels, the 2024 ASC will feature a creative option to address the urgency many of us sense is on our near horizon. A series of structured conversations will be focused by public opinion pieces and op-eds, prepared by conference participants. Like more traditional academic papers, the op-eds will address the conference theme, There and Then, Here and Now, but with the added urgency of responding to the deeply personal question, Where are you?  The op-ed format will follow guidelines provided by major newspapers. We are asking for 750 – 800-word reflection pieces that address a matter of present concern linked to the conference theme.  For those choosing this option, we suggest you review the guidelines prepared by Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. Please submit a proposal in order to participate in the op-ed format just as you would for a traditional paper. Participants may submit both a paper and an op-ed in their proposal.

We will collect the op-ed submissions and “publish” them for pre-conference review in digital, newspaper format. Completed reflections are due by February 1, 2024. They will provide the focusing commentary for group conversation at selected times during the conference.