Call for Proposals

UNITED: Rest — Reclaiming Power Through Resilience and Resistance
March 25–27, 2026 | Northern Michigan University

Are you passionate about justice, equity, inclusion, wellbeing, and sustainability? We invite faculty, staff, students, community organizers, artists, scholars, practitioners, and civic leaders to submit proposals for the 2026 UNITED Conference, held March 25–27, 2026, at Northern Michigan University.

Conference Theme

Rest: Reclaiming Power Through Resilience and Resistance

UNITED 2026 invites our community to view rest as a radical and collective practice—one that sustains justice movements, restores wellbeing, and creates space for healing, imagination, and transformation.

In partnership with PEAK 2026, the conference brings together Poetry Without Borders, the Common Reader Program, the Campus Sustainability Summit, and the Wellbeing Fair into a single, interdisciplinary experience for learning and action across campus and the Upper Peninsula.

What We’re Looking For

We seek engaging proposals that connect rest to leadership, access, sustainability, empowerment, and systems change. Priority will be given to sessions that:

Elevate marginalized voices and community knowledge
Explore rest as resilience, resistance, and liberation
Link wellbeing with justice, equity, and sustainability
Encourage collaboration and offer actionable takeaways

Submission Information

Proposals may be submitted through the UNITED 2026 Call for Proposals link. Additional details, including a draft schedule and registration information, will be shared in January 2026. Faculty are encouraged to integrate UNITED and PEAK attendance into Winter 2026 syllabi.

Your voice matters—join us in shaping UNITED 2026 and reimagining rest as a source of power, connection, and possibility.

How to Submit Your Proposal:

Important Dates:

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

Submit Proposal

Share your voice and contribute to a collective reimagining of access, wellbeing, innovation and sustainability by joining changemakers, educators, and community members committed to justice, restoration, and community care. Presenting at one of UNITED’s signature events offers a meaningful opportunity to elevate your professional profile while engaging in reflective dialogue and collaborative learning grounded in resilience and resistance. Your insight and leadership can help create spaces for rest, renewal, and action—empowering attendees to reclaim power in their personal, professional, and community-based work.

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, Healing Space or Outdoor and Embodied Experiences (1-3 hour session): Hands-on sessions that teach practical skills or explore innovative solutions.
Panels & Roundtable Discussions (50 or 90 minutes): Discussions featuring diverse perspectives on a topic related to the conference theme.
Scholarly Papers or Practitioner Insights (50 minutes): Inspiring talks related to the conference theme from thought leaders and changemakers.
Creative Presentations (50 minutes): Storytelling, spoken word, short performances, or visual art presentations that explore the conference theme.

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.

What to Include in Your Proposal

When submitting your proposal, please provide the following:

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