Program Committee

Written by Tonisha B. Lane and Marissa Vasquez, 2025 Program Committee Co-Chairs

Members are most familiar with the ASHE Program Committee as it has existed since the association’s formation. However, as the conference continues to grow both in size and complexity, we are grateful to expand leadership opportunities and deepen our collective work through the Conference Committee. We are grateful to our colleagues on the  Local and Community Engagement Committee’s attention to the rich history and traditions of activism in Denver, and we hope this inspires scholars as they submit their scholarship for this year’s conference. We also amplify the Attendee Engagement Committee’s unpacking of this year’s theme and how it reflects goals for member engagement. We hope the proposal process and our convening in Denver exudes a deep commitment to care and creative expression through scholarly activity.

The 50th anniversary of ASHE seeks to bring together scholars, activists, artists, and community leaders to engage in meaningful dialogue and innovative approaches to justice. Inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.'s profound words, "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice," the conference theme underscores the enduring struggle for equity and the role of creative and scholarly efforts in bending that arc towards justice. In line with this year's conference theme, "The Bend in the Arc: Activist Praxis and Justice through Scholarly Creative Expression," we seek proposals that explore the intersection of activism, scholarship, and creative expression. Together, we will celebrate the resilience and creativity of those who bend the arc of history towards justice. 

While connection to the theme is not a criteria for proposal evaluation or selection (please refer to the review criteria in this document by the proposal type for more information), we encourage ASHE members to consider the guiding principles of this year’s theme and integrate them into their proposals.

• Activist Scholarship: Examining how academic research can inform and support social justice movements.

• Creative Resistance: Showcasing artistic expressions that challenge oppression and inspire action.

• Community Engagement: Exploring collaborative efforts between scholars, activists, and communities to create lasting change.

• Intersectional Justice: Addressing the interconnectedness of race, ethnicity, tribal/Indigenous affiliation, national origin, citizenship status, class, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion and the intersections across these identity markers in the fight for equality.

Note: Connection to the theme is not a criterion for evaluation for any proposals and is not part of the review criteria. Please refer to the review criteria in the Call for Proposals document by the proposal type for more information.