CFP: East Tennessee Rural Biomedical Ethics Conference

Rural contexts present unique challenges for medicine – and thus, unique challenges for biomedical ethics.

The Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at East Tennessee State University will host an inaugural virtual conference on contemporary issues in rural biomedical ethics on Saturday April 18th, 2026. The event is co-sponsored by the Center for Rural Health Research housed in the College of Public Health at East Tennessee State University. 

The conference will be held online via zoom. Each selected presenter will have 30 minutes to present followed by a 15 minute Q&A period. Presentations should focus on any contemporary or pressing issue in rural biomedical ethics, health care ethics, or public health ethics, or on any related issues in philosophical or social-epistemic approaches to rural medicine broadly construed. 

Example topics may include: issues related to the social determinants of health in rural contexts, e.g., economic resources, education, resource allocation, access to services, etc., clinical considerations of confidentiality, familiarity, and blurred personal/professional boundaries, cultural and social issues arising from stigma, stereotype, and related instances of epistemic injustice, the uniqueness of rural healthcare ethics versus 'urban' healthcare ethics, issues on topics disproportionately affecting rural contexts, e.g. drug abuse, or the ethics of rural advocacy and community-based and resilience-oriented research. Interdisciplinary and case-study approaches are also very welcome.

To apply, please submit an abstract of 300-500 words to [email protected] by Februrary 20th, 2026. Notifications of acceptance will be sent out no later than March 6th, 2026. In your submission, please include your name, affiliation, and willingness to attend the entirety of the conference (9:30am-3:15pm EST), as preference will be given to those who are able to fully participate. 

Please email [email protected] with any questions.