Call for Proposals

85^th  Annual College Language Association Convention 

A Past to Preserve, a Future to Fulfill:
90 Years of Literature, Language, and Learning

April 21-24, 2027

Host Institutions: Rhodes College and LeMoyne-Owen College
Memphis, Tennessee

Host Committee Chair
Dr. McKinley E. Melton
hostcommittee@clascholars.org

The College Language Association (CLA) invites papers, panels, roundtables, posters, society meetings, and workshops for its 85^th Annual Convention, to be held in Memphis, Tennessee. We enthusiastically invite proposals on our Convention theme, “A Past to Preserve, a Future to Fulfill: 90 Years of Literature, Language, and Learning” that address recovery/(re)discovery work in literatures and languages, visions for pedagogical innovation and revolution, and presentations or special sessions on the intellectual legacy of the College Language Association. We also encourage respondents to look to the CLA archives to explore new conversations with old texts and to chart new pathways in traditional academic disciplines. 

CLA also welcomes proposals on Languages and Literatures in English, World Languages and Literatures, Linguistics, Pedagogy, and Cultural Studies. Proposals in French, Spanish, and Portuguese are also encouraged. 

• ~200 word abstract
• Current CLA membership
• An individual abstract for all presenters (including panels, pre-constituted panels, roundtables, special sessions)
• Submit your abstract on or before Friday, October 2, 2026

• General: $100
• Student: $55
• Retiree: $75
• Life: $1000
• Institutional Memberships: $1000
• Corporate Sponsorships: $2500+

• Early registration for all members is 299.00

• Regular & Life Members: $399
• Students and Retirees: $299

• $499.00

• Your Convention registration includes one banquet ticket.

• Presenters must register by January 15, 2027, to remain on the program.

Dr. Antonio D. Tillis

vicepresident@clascholars.org