CFP: 19th Gateway Graduate Conference: The Wonder of Language

The University of Missouri - St. Louis' Philosophers' Forum invites submissions from current graduate students related to the conference title: "The Wonder of Langauge." Philosophy of language is the theme; this can include papers on a wide range of topics, including but not limited to:

• Philosophy of Linguistics
• Language and Society
• Speech Acts
• Modal Expressions

Papers that explore the intersections of these domains are also encouraged.

This event will take place in-person. Presenters will have the opportunity to present their work, receive feedback, and take questions in real-time.

The keynote speaker for this conference is Sam Berstler (Massachussetts Institute of Technology).

To apply, please submit:

1. A paper prepared for anonymous review, not exceeding 3500 words in length and suitable for a 20-25 minute presentation.
2. A separate cover sheet including name, institutional affiliation, contact information, paper title, word count, and an abstract of no more than 300 words to [email protected] 

The day will feature presentations from 4-5 graduate students with subsequent commentary from fellow graduate student commentators. All papers undergo peer review by grad students in the department.

The deadline for submissions is March 5th, 2026. Successful applicants will be informed by March 12th, 2026. Any questions, comments, or concerns about the conference can be directed to Witt Spiller (wspiller (at) umsystem.edu). Those interested in attending the conference in a different capacity (as a commentator or as an attendee) should also reach out to Witt Spiller and fill out the conference registration google form.

We look forward to your submissions!