Call for Proposals – 2026 UNITED Conference

The 2026 UNITED Conference represents a powerful evolution of Northern Michigan University’s longstanding UNITED Conference – transforming it into a three-day multiconference experience that brings together our people, our place, and our potential under one shared vision. Anchored in the university's strategic plan, Our Compass, and guided by NMU’s values of inclusion, well-being, and empowerment, UNITED integrates five cornerstone initiatives — PEAK Week, the Campus Sustainability Summit, the Common Reader Program, the Wildcat WellBeing Fair, and Poetry Without Borders — into one cohesive experience. Together, these events form a dynamic ecosystem that uplifts wellness, leadership, sustainability, and equity, inviting every student, employee, and community member to learn, lead, and thrive together. 

We’re looking for proposals that explore how rest shows up in your life, your community, your work, or your traditions—as a source of strength, healing, and even protest. We especially welcome voices from communities that are currently under pressure, or have long been denied the chance to slow down, breathe, and just be.

Dates: Wednesday, March 25 - Friday, March 27, 2026

Theme: Rest: Reclaiming Power Through Resilience and Resistance

Proposal Deadline: January 20, 2026

Notification Deadline:  February 6, 2026

Conference Dates: Wednesday, March 25 - Friday, March 27, 2026

Location: Northern Center at Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan

Proposal Categories: We invite proposals for workshops, panels, performances, healing spaces, creative presentations, outdoor and embodied experiences, scholarly papers and practitioner insights that engage with (but are not limited to) the following themes:

Resting in Resilience

  • Intergenerational wisdom and survival practices
  • Cultural and spiritual traditions of rest and healing
  • Wellness models rooted in place, ancestry, and care
  • Self and community restoration in the face of chronic stress
     

Rest as Resistance

  • Rest as a challenge to homogenous zealots, materiality, ableism, and settler colonialism
  • The Nap Ministry, disability justice, and the politics of rest
  • Land-based movements, outdoor equity, and justice through stillness
  • Artistic, embodied, and ritual expressions of refusal

Resilience as Resistance

  • Thriving despite systemic harm as a form of refusal
  • Caring for yourself and your community as a revolutionary act
  • Holding joy, hope, and imagination in systems designed for despair

Bridging Both

  • How do we rest for the revolution while healing from it?
  • Creating systems of sustainability in organizing and leadership
  • Rest as a right: educational, policy, and community models
  • Collective care, mutual aid, and sacred timekeeping
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Why Present at UNITED?

Share your voice and contribute to the advancement of equity and sustainability in our community by connecting with changemakers, educators, and community members who are deeply committed to justice. Presenting at one of NMU’s signature events offers a meaningful opportunity to enhance your professional profile while engaging in thoughtful dialogue and collaborative learning. Your insight and leadership can inspire attendees to take action in both their personal and professional lives, making a lasting impact on the work of equity, inclusion, and community transformation.

What to Include in Your Proposal:

When submitting your proposal, please provide the following:

  1. Session Title – Make it engaging and descriptive.
  2. Session Description (150-300 words) – Clearly outline your session's goals, content, and relevance to the theme.
  3. Presenter(s) Information – Name(s), pronouns, affiliation(s), and a brief bio.
  4. Target Audience – Specify who would benefit most from your session (students, faculty, community members, etc.).
  5. Format and Length – Indicate your preferred session type and duration.
  6. Technology Needs – Let us know if you need specific tech or setup (projectors, sound equipment, etc.).

Session Types We’re Looking For

We welcome proposals for a variety of session formats to create a dynamic and engaging experience for attendees.

  • Interactive Workshops (50 minutes): Hands-on sessions that teach practical skills or explore innovative solutions in justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
  • Panels & Roundtable Discussions (50 minutes): Discussions featuring diverse perspectives on a topic related to JEDI or environmental justice.
  • Keynote or Featured Presentations (45 minutes): Inspiring talks from thought leaders and changemakers.
  • Creative Presentations (50 minutes): Storytelling, spoken word, short performances, or visual art presentations that explore social and environmental equity themes.

Pro Tip: Interactive and community-driven sessions are highly encouraged! We want to create a space where attendees feel engaged, empowered, and ready to take action.