Call for Proposals – 2027 UNITED Conference

UNITED 2027 continues the powerful evolution of Northern Michigan University’s longstanding UNITED Conference – 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, wellbeing, and empowerment, UNITED integrates cornerstone initiatives such as, the Wildcat Wellbeing Fair, Poetry Without Borders, the Common Reader Program, The Scholarly Buzz Session, and the inaugural One Health Symposium— into one cohesive experience. Together, these events form a dynamic ecosystem that uplifts wellness, leadership, and equity, inviting every student, employee, and community member to learn, lead, and thrive together. 

We’re looking for proposals that explore how wellbeing prescriptions show 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 currently under pressure, or long denied the chance to slow down, breathe, and just be.

Theme: Wellbeing Rx: Healing Ourselves, Strengthening Our Communities

Proposal Deadline: January 19, 2027

Notification Deadline:  February 5, 2027

Conference Dates: Wednesday, April 7 - Friday, April 9, 2027

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:

  • Connection Rx – Belonging, relationships, community building, shared meals and food as gathering, social wellbeing, and community garden gatherings and shared harvests

  • Nature Rx – Outdoor recreation, environmental stewardship, food systems and nourishment, the healing power of place, Indigenous land stewardship, foraging, and conservation practices

  • Purpose Rx – Meaning, leadership, vocation, personal growth, the financial stability that makes pursuing purpose possible

  • Rest Rx – Recovery, restoration, boundaries, psychological wellbeing, and restorative time in nature

  • Movement Rx – Physical wellbeing, recreation, active lifestyles, moving every day

  • Creativity Rx – Arts, storytelling, poetry, self-expression as a pathway to healing

  • Culture Rx – Diverse heritages, cultural traditions, traditional ecological knowledge and foraging traditions

  • Future Rx – Innovation, technology, AI, lifelong learning, designing healthier futures, sustainability planning

  • Financial Rx – Financial literacy, economic stability, debt management, fair wages, access to the resources and knowledge needed to build long-term financial security, and the healing and cost-saving power of food as medicine, home gardening, and foraging

Submit Proposal
Dr. Shawnrece Butler introducing the keynote from the 2026 UNITED Conference

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.).

  7. Brief Bio (75 words or less)

  8. Upload a headshot

Session Types We’re Looking For

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

  • Workshops/Trainings/Healing Spaces (2-3 hour session): Hands-on pre-conference sessions that teach practical skills or explore innovative solutions or outdoor and embodied experiences.
  • Interactive Workshops (45-minute session): Hands-on sessions that teach practical skills or explore innovative solutions.
  • Panels & Roundtable Discussions (45-minute session): Discussions featuring diverse perspectives.
  • Featured Presentations (45-minute session): Inspiring talks from thought leaders and changemakers.
  • Creative Presentations (45-minute session): Storytelling, spoken word, short performances, or visual art presentations that explore social and environmental equity themes.
  • Outdoor and Embodied Experiences (45-minute session)
  • Scholarly papers (45-minute session)
  • Practitioner incites (45-minute session)

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.