CFP: 2nd East Tennessee Rural Biomedical Ethics Conference

Rural contexts present unique challenges for medical research and practice – and thus, unique challenges for biomedical ethics.

The 2nd East Tennessee Rural Biomedical Ethics Conference will be held on Saturday, February 20th, 2027 via Zoom. The event will be co-hosted by the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies and the Center for Rural Health and Research at East Tennessee State University. 

The conference invites abstract submissions on any topics broadly related to rural medical ethics, including any social-epistemic issues related to rural medicine or any issues related to public health policies that impact rural populations. 

Example topics may include but are not limited to: issues related to the social determinants of health in rural contexts, resource allocation, access to services, clinical considerations about confidentiality, familiarity, and blurrerd professional-personal boundaries, cultural and social issues related to stigma and stereotype and related instances of epistemic injustice, the uniqueness of rural medicine, harm reduction, public policy challenges, issues disproportionately impacting rural populations, e.g., drug abuse, deaths of despair, home healthcare, or topics on community-based or resilience-based research or any other areas related to rural health and healthcare. Interdisciplinary and case-study approaches are also welcome.

To apply, please submit an abstract of 400-500 words along with name, email, affiliation information, and confirmation of willingness to participate in the entire conference (9am-3pm) to [email protected] by January 9th, 2027. Notices will be sent out no later than January 12th. Presenters will be given 30 minutes to present followed by a 15-minute Q&A.

For inquires, please email either [email protected] or [email protected].