Call for Proposals #2020GCC

Annual Conference Call for Proposals

The 2020 GCC Conference Planning Committee invites GCC members to submit proposals for the annual conference, which takes place June 24-26, 2020, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 
 
The theme for this year’s conference is Intersections of Research, Practice, and Theory. About the theme:
As practitioners within higher education, we have many unique opportunities to access the most up-to-date research and theory to inform our practice. We infuse evidence-based approaches in our programming, and many of us also conduct research – through studies, evaluation, assessment, and more. In addition, there is also the expectation from our graduate students and postdocs that we keep an eye on developments in the field. As we come together as a community of practice for this year’s conference, we will focus on sharing the research, practice, and theory that shape our work.
 
We are excited to receive your proposals for member-generated, creative, and posters sessions!  
 
Deadline for all proposals is March 16, 2020 at 5 pm CST.
 
Guidelines for All Proposals
We are seeking proposals for sessions that share new ideas, projects, and research to enhance the professional and career development of our graduate students and postdocs, or for sessions that advance our professional development as academic and student affairs professionals.  
 
With the conference theme of Intersections of Research, Practice, and Theory, effective proposals will address:
  • Evidence-based approaches (e.g., theories and research) that inform our work
  • Emerging initiatives that were developed to address gaps in programming for our graduate students and postdocs 
  • Methods for evaluating the effectiveness of programs and/or methods for accessing the knowledge and skills of program participants 
  • Research on graduate professional development
  • Collaborations between practitioners and faculty
 
We welcome proposals that target one or more of the following topics:
  • Mental health and well-being
  • Equity, diversity, inclusion, creating communities of care, Indigenizing programming
  • Assessment and evaluation
  • Career education research
  • Building bridges between student affairs professionals, faculty, and/or communities
 
Never submitted a proposal? We highly encourage first time presenters. The Member-generated Submissions Committee can put you in contact with a past presenter to learn more about the submission process, creating a session, and what to expect during the session. Contact info@gradcareerconsortium.org.
 
Priority will be given to proposals where all presenters are current GCC members. However, if your proposal does include a co-presenter who is not a GCC member, please be advised that that co-presenter must also register as a guest speaker and pay to attend one day of the conference (a fee of $200).
 
Guidelines for Member-Generated Breakout Sessions (50 minutes)
Member-generated breakout sessions are offered concurrently.  Presenters engage a large group and share innovative ideas, programs, and research. These sessions can be delivered by a team of presenters from different institutions or single institutional presenters. Due to our growing membership and increase in submissions, we will evaluate proposals and select those that are strong in:
  • Alignment to the theme and target topics
  • Evidence of a theoretical or empirical foundation 
  • Innovation
  • Evidence of impact
  • Clarity of session outcomes
  • Potential to engage participants in the session
 
In addition, the committee will aim to select proposals that represent a wide range of perspectives and institutions. Please note that if your proposal for a member-generated session is not accepted, you will be asked if you would like to present a poster. 
 
Guidelines for Creative Session (3 minutes)
We are inviting proposals in various formats that are creative extensions or explorations of our role and work as practitioners. We invite proposals that have relevance to the conference theme, a potential to appeal to or engage a wide GCC audience, creative connection to the conference venue (Toronto!), and a level of creative expression.
 
We are planning a session that could include any of the following:
  • Lightning talk (3 minutes with one slide)
  • Short visualizations
  • Short video and animation films
  • Short performances (song,dance, sketch/skit, comedy, storytelling, etc. with a maximum of 5 participants)
 
Guidelines for Poster Session
Posters are an opportunity to display your work visually and engage in one-on-one to small group conversations. We will do our best to accommodate all submissions. Posters should be strong in:
  • Alignment to the theme and target topics
  • Innovation
  • Evidence of impact
  • Clarity of session outcomes
 
Submit proposals here.