CFP: Southwestern Graduate Aesthetics Conference

The graduate students of the University of Arizona (Tucson) philosophy department are excited to announce the first-ever Southwestern Graduate Aesthetics Conference (SWGAC), taking place in person at the University of Arizona on November 21st and 22nd, 2025. There is no registration fee for this conference. The aim of SWGAC is to promote the study of aesthetics at the undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as provide a collaborative and positive platform to showcase upcoming work in aesthetics. 

We are seeking abstracts of 1,000 words, prepared for blind review, in any area of aesthetics or the philosophy of art. All submissions will be considered for the SWGAC Essay Prize, which includes a modest monetary component. Sessions will include a twenty minute paper presentation, ten minutes for prepared commentary by a commentator, five minutes for a speaker's responses, and twenty-five minutes for audience questions and answers. We encourage submissions that explore issues of special concern to the Southwest, broadly construed. Members of traditionally underrepresented groups in philosophy are especially encouraged to apply. Both undergraduate and graduate students may submit papers for consideration. 

Submission Guidelines:

• Submissions are accepted via email to [email protected]. Please provide your preferred name and current student affiliation in the body of the email. 
• Submissions should be an abstract of no more than 1,000 words. This abstract should be representative of the full paper to be submitted upon acceptance. 
• Abstracts are to be prepared for anonymous review (meaning your name should not appear within the abstract).
• Co-authored papers are not eligible for submission.

Important Dates: 

• Deadline for submissions: August 31st, 2025
• Notification of Acceptance: September 30th, 2025
• Deadline to provide paper (≤3,500 words) to commenter: November 1st, 2025

Information about venue, travel, and accommodation is available on the conference website. 

We aim to make the conference as inclusive and accessible as possible. Please do not hesitate to contact the conference organizers to discuss inclusivity concerns and accessibility requirements.

All questions and correspondence should be addressed to the conference organizers at: [email protected].