CALL FOR PAPERS AND PRESENTATIONS 2016

Recentering LGBT studies: Emerging conversations in the field
4th Annual LGBT Research Symposium: An Interdisciplinary Symposium on LGBT Research in the Social Sciences

Date: May 19 – 20, 2016
Location: I Hotel and Conference Center, 1900 S 1st St, Champaign, IL 61820
Submission Deadline: February 1, 2016

Cost: A $30 registration fee will include the methodological workshops and networking event on May 19, and the full day of presentations, breakfast and lunch on May 20. Registration details to follow.

Keynote Speaker: Juan Battle, PhD, The City University of New York Dr. Juan Battle is a professor of Sociology, Public Health and Urban Education at the City University of New York. Dr. Battle’s research focuses on race, sexuality and social justice. Currently, Dr. Battle is leading the Social Justice Sexuality initiative, which aims to capture the experiences of LGBT people of color in America through exploration of sociopolitical themes (see http://socialjusticesexuality
.com/). We look forward to hearing Dr. Battle’s perspective on cultivating social justice for underrepresented individuals within LGBT studies, the current and future priorities of LGBT studies – substantively and methodologically.

Program: Our theme for 2016 is Recentering LGBT studies. This year’s program builds upon the success of the past three LGBT Research Symposiums that provided researchers with an opportunity to present their own challenges, opportunities, and lessons learned while conducting social science research with LGBT populations.

This year’s symposium will begin with methodological workshops, a networking event, and poster presentations on May 19. The pre-symposium events will offer attendees technical skills, as well as continue to develop a network of LGBTQ scholars and professionals. The program for Friday, May 20, 2016 will include the keynote address and a variety of break-out sessions each including 3-4 panel speakers.

Jessica Fish is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Population Research Center at the University of Texas at Austin. Her research focuses on sexual minority mental health and alcohol use and how between- and within-group differences elucidate risk for this population. Her workshop will focus on finding and using large datasets in LGBTQ+ research.

Ramona Oswald is a professor of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her research examines contextual influences on LGBTQ individuals and families, particularly in non-metropolitan areas. Her workshop will focus on innovative recruitment strategies and working with qualitative data.

Call for Proposals: Proposals for presentation at the symposium should fall into one or more of the following themes:

• Original research with LGBT populations
• Original research highlighting underrepresented populations within LGBT studies
• Conceptual, theoretical, and/or methodological issues associated with LGBT research
• Incorporating LGBT research in practice settings

The Outstanding Student Paper Award: Students with accepted presentations will have the opportunity to apply for the Outstanding Student Paper Award by April 1, 2016. Financial support for student presenters may be available as funds allow.

Request for Proposals details: Proposals should be submitted online at: https://illinois.edu/fb/sec/4609350 and limited to 750 words. Submissions from students are especially encouraged. Proposals may be submitted in the form of paper presentations, panel discussions, or posters. Accepted paper presentations will be formed into panel discussions based on similar topics. Panel discussions consist of four presenters and last 80 minutes. All presenters will be asked to confirm their attendance by March 1, 2016.

Notification of acceptance: February 15, 2016.

The final program will be posted on our website (http://lgbtresearch.weebly.com/) by March 18, 2016.

Planning Committee: Faculty: Ramona Oswald, PhD, Department of Human and Community Development Graduate Students: Elizabeth Holman, MS, LSW, Department of Human Development & Family Studies; Shawn N. Mendez, MS, Department of Human Development & Family Studies; Jasmine Routon, MA, Department of Human Development & Family Studies; Jacob Goffnett, MSW, School of Social Work

For more information, please contact: lgbtresearch.uiuc@gmail.com