Presentation Proposals for Annual Shepard Symposium on Social Justice at UW Accepted

Presentation proposals are being accepted through Friday, Jan. 30, for the annual Shepard Symposium on Social Justice at the University of Wyoming. The 19th annual event is April 8-11.

The 2015 theme is titled, “Social Justice in a Media-Driven World.” Persons interested can submit presentation proposals that describe and highlight the ways media influence, manipulate, support or enhance social justice efforts.

“The hope is that proposals will critically examine the ways in which media in a global world advocate for or works against oppressed groups and their allies during instances of exclusion, inequality, bullying and other acts of power imbalance,” says Angela Jaime, chair of the symposium.

The symposium is committed to the inclusion of the widest variety of voices and topics, Jaime says. Possible presentation formats for conference participation include paper presentations, paper sessions, panel discussions, workshops and performance presentations.

For details, visit the symposium website at www.shepardsymposium.org. All proposals must be submitted electronically via an online submission form.

The Shepard Symposium on Social Justice has evolved into a major national conference. The symposium, originally titled, “The Symposium for the Eradication of Social Inequality,” focused on involving UW and local students in dialogue about issues related to social justice, particularly within the context of public education.

In 2003, the symposium was renamed the Shepard Symposium on Social Justice, honoring the work of the Shepard family and the memory of their son, Matthew Shepard, a former UW student and social activist.

“The symposium works as a living reminder of the need for information and dialogue about social justice concerns in the United States and in the larger world in which we live,” Jaime says. “The conference is committed to creating space for those whose voices continue to be marginalized.”

For more information, email Jaime at jaimea@uwyo.edu.