CFP: The Moral University — Higher Education in an Age of Uncertainty

CALL FOR PAPERS

Society for Ethics Across the Curriculum
26th Annual Conference on Ethics Across the Curriculum

October 8–10, 2026
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia

Conference Theme: The Moral University — Higher Education in an Age of Uncertainty

Colleges and universities face unprecedented ethical challenges—pressures from politics, markets, and technology that raise deep questions about what higher education is for, whom it serves, and how it should change. This conference invites scholars and practitioners to reflect on the moral dimensions of academic life: from teaching and research to governance, access, and the evolving social role of the university. We seek presentations that explore these issues from any disciplinary, theoretical, or practical perspective.

At the same time, and in keeping with the mission of the Society for Ethics Across the Curriculum, the conference strongly welcomes presentations on the teaching of ethics in higher education broadly conceived. Submissions addressing pedagogical approaches, curricular design, assessment, institutional initiatives, professional programs, and classroom practices related to ethics—whether or not they directly engage the conference theme—are especially encouraged.

Possible Areas for Exploration

Possible areas for exploration include, but are not limited to:

• The purpose and public mission of higher education in a changing society
• Academic freedom, shared governance, and institutional integrity
• Free expression, protest, and the ethics of dialogue on campus
• Political and financial pressures on universities and their leadership
• The value and economics of higher education: debt, equity, and accountability
• Ethics in academic administration and decision-making
• Technology, AI, and the digital transformation of learning and research
• Teaching ethics across the curriculum and in professional programs
• Globalization, inclusion, and the moral boundaries of the university community
• The moral development, well-being, and agency of students, faculty, and staff

Submission Guidelines

Submissions should consist of abstracts of up to 250 words, formatted for blind review. We welcome a variety of session formats, including individual presentations, panels, roundtables, case study analysis and discussion, poster sessions, and pedagogical demonstrations.

Presenters are not required to submit or read completed written papers. SEAC welcomes presentation‑based sessions that share ideas, works in progress, pedagogical approaches, and institutional or curricular case studies.

Undergraduate and graduate students are encouraged to submit proposals.

Submission Deadline

All submissions must be received by August 1, 2026.

How to Submit

Please submit abstracts by email to:
[email protected]

Additional conference information will be posted on the SEAC website:
https://www.seac-online.org

Graduate Student Essay Prize

SEAC sponsors a Graduate Student Essay Prize, which includes free conference registration, the conference banquet, and a $500 stipend. Graduate students who wish to be considered for the prize should submit a full essay by the submission deadline. Submission of a full essay is not required in order to present at the conference.

Conference Location

The conference will be held at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, located in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. Widely known for its natural beauty, the Valley offers a distinctive setting for reflection and conversation, with easy access to the Blue Ridge Mountains, historic towns, and a vibrant local culture. Harrisonburg is a welcoming and walkable city with a lively downtown and diverse dining options. James Madison University is a nationally recognized public institution with a growing reputation for academic excellence, civic engagement, and innovative teaching, making it a fitting venue for a conference devoted to the ethical purposes and public responsibilities of higher education.

Conference sessions will be held on the campus of James Madison University at the Festival Conference & Student Center:
https://www.jmu.edu/festival/index.shtml

Conference activities will not be held at an official conference hotel. Attendees are welcome to make lodging arrangements at hotels in the surrounding area. A block of rooms at a reduced rate will be available at the Courtyard by Marriott Harrisonburg:
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/shdcy-courtyard-harrisonburg/overview/