CUWFA 2024 Call for Proposals 

• Learn and strategize how to overcome barriers to research partnerships and culture change at our home institutions; 
• Discuss ways to help transform our own institutions, bridging the gap between research and practice, ultimately influencing public policy;
• Explore effective ways of using our own qualitative research (e.g. gathered through programming, employee listening campaigns, etc.) to speak to and amplify the gaps that we as worklife practitioners need to fill; and 
• Examine broader lessons for the Work-Life field.  

Our 2024 conference aims to address these items through keynote speaker(s), panels, seminars, and workshops. Sessions should relate to our theme of an age-diverse workforce, examining work/life issues through this multi-faceted lens. 

SESSION GUIDELINES

Submission Deadline: December 15, 2023 

The Conference Committee is looking for engaging and innovative proposals to fill 4-6 sessions during the 3-day conference. Successful proposals for 20-minute speed sessions, 45-minute seminars, workshops and panels will address the conference theme, objectives, and share innovative developments, best practices, and the skills, knowledge, and abilities necessary to enable Work-Life professionals to integrate their work in higher education to help lead and grow organizations that are vital, dynamic, and responsive. Collaborations across institutions are highly encouraged and vendors are required to submit joint proposals with a CUWFA member organization. Work-Life practitioners, researchers, human resource professionals, women’s commissions, faculty, staff, and students are welcome to submit proposals. 

• 20-minute Speed Session: Individual mini lectures designed to engage and inspire. 
• 45-minute Seminar: Scholarly sessions based on evidence-based practices. 
• 60-minute Workshop: Interactive workshops engage participants in learning about the topic in a variety of ways. 
• 60-minute Panel: Moderated discussion allows panelists to share expertise relative to the conference theme and objectives. 

CONFERENCE SUBMISSIONS SHOULD CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING: 

• A short title 
• An abstract that includes session goals (250 max words) 
• Preferred length of time and format from list above (*presenters may be asked to accept a different time/format) 
• Presenter bios (100 words max per person) 

Your proposal should be clear and concise. Reviewers will look favorably upon proposals that: 

• Offer theories, research findings, practical models, and/or strategies that reflect the conference theme and objective(s), and have proven effective, 
• Are innovative and interactive, and 
• Identify the intended audience and goals for the session (including what attendees will gain from the session), 

CRITERIA FOR SUBMISSION REVIEW AND SELECTION 

• Clarity and coherence of submission. 
• Relevance and usefulness to the intended audience, such as: Specific practical sessions (e.g., problem-solving, implementation, and research-based/data-driven sessions. 
• Presentation approach and level of participant engagement in the session. 
• Contribution to scholarship and research and/or new innovative practice(s) in Work-Life. 
• Relevance to the conference theme (a literal/linear connection is not required). 
• Extent to which proposal captures emerging trends in research and practice. 
• Extent to which process, project, or innovation can be replicated or modified by other post-secondary institutions. 
• Overall quality of proposal.