CALL FOR PROPOSALS IS NOW OPEN!
Community, collaboration, learning and inspiration. For eight years the annual Diversity Abroad conference has embodied these words. In fall 2021, the tradition continues but with an exciting new development. Diversity Abroad has renamed its annual conference to Global Inclusion Conference, or simply Global Inclusion.
This rebranding more accurately reflects the holistic approach of Diversity Abroad and its member community in addressing and accelerating systemic and equitable change in all aspects of global education and cultural exchange, including:
- Career Advancement & Belonging
- International Student Services & Cultural Exchange
- Education Abroad
- Global Engagement at Home
This past year higher education institutions around the world have had to adapt to teaching and learning virtually and the global education field has had to grapple with defining global education beyond traditional mobility. Against this landscape, it is imperative that educators and administrators ensure that all students continue to have access to and are provided inclusive support to participate in and benefit from the academic success, interpersonal growth, and career readiness that global education and cultural exchange- in its various forms- can provide.
Global Inclusion 2021 will include virtual and in-person components. Pre-conference workshops and concurrent sessions will exclusively take place virtually. Plenaries will take place on-site and are also available to view online. Both online and in-person attendees will have access to networking opportunities. Global Inclusion 2021 will close with the Think Forward Summit, which will take place on-site.
TRACKS
The Global Inclusion 2021 Planning Committee invites session proposals inclusive of diverse perspectives that focus on the following four areas: education abroad, international students and exchange, global engagement at home, and career advancement & belonging. Additionally, all sessions present the opportunity for researchers to share their emerging work and how research or theory can inform practice. With this in mind, presenters are expected to identify which track applies to each proposed session:
Student success is a shared goal on college campuses as well as within the organizations who support them. It is critical to ensure that all students not only have access to such high-impact practices, but are provided the advising and support structures for participating successfully in a global experience -whether virtually or in-person. This track will explore inclusive practices for advising and supporting diverse and underrepresented students - at home or abroad and the role that various campus offices, such as diversity & multicultural offices, career centers, disability or TRiO offices, have in supporting inclusive student success before, during, and after participating in an international program.
Both funding and program design are important to consider as we identify best practices for increasing access and inclusion in global education. Funding is often cited as one of the key challenges students of all backgrounds face to participating in international programming. Furthermore, global learning programs with inclusive curricular and co-curricular activities at home or abroad may be more attractive to students from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds. In this track, participants will consider what innovative approaches to funding and program design can be employed to provide greater access to encourage students from a broad range of backgrounds to engage with global learning opportunities.
Organizations and global education offices benefit from formalizing current diversity and inclusion efforts into a cohesive plan to broaden access and engender inclusion in all aspects of global education. This track will examine the process and components of engaging multiple institutional stakeholders to develop a comprehensive diversity and inclusion strategy, as well as how to develop inclusive and comprehensive practices in global education.
Evidence-based research plays a vital role in the development of knowledge and advocacy for advancing inclusive policies and practices in global education and cultural exchange. Original research from a wide array of disciplines can demonstrate to senior administrators, faculty members, and funding and government agencies that diverse and inclusive global learning experiences can lead to high impact practices often correlated with positive outcomes in postsecondary education and increased prospects in employability. This track offers those professionals from around the world engaged in research and practice to contribute, share, and expand the knowledge base of the field.
When recruiting, marketing, and conducting outreach to students for global programs, it is important to consider how the methods and messages we use reach and resonate with students of diverse and underrepresented backgrounds. This track engages in these important considerations by examining how diverse students may have interests or concerns that are not satisfied through existing marketing and recruitment efforts.
The number of international & exchange students continues to rise on many college campuses around the country. Some college campuses have been criticized for their lack of support in creating a welcoming climate for these students. Furthermore, many international students may spend years in this country without interacting with or developing an understanding of the many diverse communities that exist in the United States. This track explores ways to support this cohort in a more impactful manner and how to engage them in education abroad opportunities.
Many Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) are engaged in innovative activities to ensure their institutions are globally oriented and that all of their students have the skills and knowledge to be successful in the global market. This track explores new approaches and current trends from colleagues at MSIs or those who partner with MSIs to support international students on their campus, expand global institutional partnerships, and inclusive support for global education activities.
To most effectively serve an increasingly diverse student body, it’s essential that global educators from diverse backgrounds are represented, equipped to advance their careers and experience a sense of belonging in their workplaces. This track will explore inclusive excellence with respect to hiring practices, training and development, professional development, mentorship, and allyship within global education and cultural exchange as well as balancing career advancement and health/wellness for diverse professionals.
This track features sessions designed to advance learning and collaborative exchange related to core topics in Diversity/Equity/Inclusion, not specific to global education. Example sessions may focus on key theoretical frameworks for supporting under-represented minorities in higher education learning environments (critical race theory, belonging, etc) around the world, research supporting diverse learning environments, emerging social movements impacting global LGBTQI+ communities, and historical significance and modern-day goals of Minority-serving Institutions.
These “Tracks” provide a framework for participants of the conference to better understand the content of the session, especially for those seeking to specialize in one or more broad area.
Submission Format
Please note all sessions will be delivered virtuallyConcurrent Session
Please note: Concurrent Session submissions MUST include multiple presenters for full considerationConcurrent sessions must involve a minimum of two and up to four presenters in the presentation. Concurrent sessions are 60-minute live sessions that include panel discussion and slide presentations. Real time engagement with attendees through polls and Q&A chat. Presenters are encouraged to collaborate with colleagues and professionals from different campus units/offices and/or with colleagues from other institutions for greater consideration. Presenters are encouraged to develop a tool/resource/framework that can be shared with the attendees.
Deep Dive Session
Deep Dive Session submissions MUST include multiple presenters for full considerationA Deep Dive session provides an opportunity for the presenter(s) to involve participants in interaction through hands-on activities and discussions. Deep Dive sessions are 75 minutes, including a 30-45 minute live presentation with the additional time remaining for real-time engagement including breakout sessions. Deep Dive session submissions are expected to include a chair and have no more than three (3) additional presenters. Presenters must develop a tool/resource/framework that can be shared with the attendees. For example, hiring sessions (sample interview rubric to mitigate inclusive bias, sample rubric for evaluating best practices).
e-Posters
The e-posters are intended to encourage conference attendees to explore emerging themes in global education, diversity, and inclusion through interactive dialogue and visual representations (infographics, pictures, graphs, etc.). Proposals may encompass a broad range of topics such as: Multicultural Student Experiences. Promising Practices/Case Studies, and research. Presenters will have the opportunity to submit a 5 minute video presentation of their poster that will be accessible to attendees during the 60-minute session.
Critical Issues
Critical Issues submissions are expected to have no more than two (2) presenters. The 30-minute session is a live session which explores critical issues related to the overarching track. Optional to include slides in the presentation. Real time engagement with attendees through polls and Q&A chat. Presenters are encouraged to develop a tool/resource/framework that can be shared with the attendees.
Click to view topic areas
Target Audience
- Each submission will be expected to note the anticipated level of understanding and knowledge necessary to meaningfully engage in the session content:
- Entry level sessions should address basic topics of diversity and inclusion in global education, require little to no experience with the content of the session, and include information that is relevant to entry level professionals.
- Intermediate level sessions should require some level of understanding or experience with the topics covered in the session and advance the conversation beyond the basics of the topic covered.
- Advanced level sessions should cover material that require advanced understanding of the topic or theme and include information that is relevant for senior level administrators and educators.
GUIDELINES & TIMELINE
- Proposal submissions will be accepted through April 30, 2021 at 11:59 PM Pacific Standard Time.
- Participation limits. To promote broad participation in the Annual Conference, an individual may not appear as primary presenter or chair on more than two submissions. An individual may not appear as a participating presenter on more than three submissions
- Presenters are encouraged to review the guidelines available in the Global Equity & Inclusion Guidelines when developing proposals.
- Presenters are encouraged to develop a comprehensive resource handout including: theoretical frameworks, authors of significance, seminal readings, news platforms, etc.
- All participants whose proposals are accepted for a session (chairs and panelists where applicable) are required to register for the Annual Conference by the early bird deadline and attend the Conference to present their scheduled session.
- General inquiries regarding the Annual Conference may be addressed to conference@diversityabroad.org or by phone +1-510-982-0635 ext. 707. Confirmation notices are scheduled to be sent in late September.