2nd Southwestern Graduate Aesthetics Conference

The graduate students of the Department of Philosophy at The University of Arizona are excited to announce the 2nd Southwestern Graduate Aesthetics Conference (SWGAC II), to be held in person in Tucson, Arizona on January 29th–30th, 2027. SWGAC II aims to promote the study of aesthetics at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and to provide a collaborative platform to showcase upcoming work in aesthetics.

We are seeking submissions in aesthetics and the philosophy of art, broadly construed. The organizers especially welcome submissions that explore issues of special concern to the Southwest. Members of traditionally underrepresented groups in philosophy are strongly encouraged to apply. All submissions will be considered for the SWGAC Essay Prize, which includes a modest monetary award. Each session will include 20 minutes for presentation, 10 minutes for commentary, (optional) 5 minutes for the speaker’s response, and 25 minutes for audience questions. There is no registration fee.

We are excited to announce Elizabeth Scarbrough (Florida International University) and Erich Hatala Matthes (Wellesley College) as our keynote speakers.

Submission Guidelines:

• Address submissions to [email protected]. Please provide your preferred name and current student affiliation in the body of the email.
• Please attach a ≤1,000-word (footnotes included, references excluded) extended abstract prepared for anonymous review.
• Co-authored papers are ineligible for submission.

Important Dates:

• Deadline for submissions: December 1st, 2026
• Notification of acceptance: December 13th, 2026
• Papers (≤3,500 words) due to commentators: January 4th, 2027
• Conference dates: January 29th-30th, 2027

For all correspondence, including inclusivity or accessibility concerns, please contact the organizers at [email protected].