CFP: “Examining Gender, Social Justice and Sports,” March 17, 2011

From the FLP mailbox, this call for proposals:

6th Annual Audrey-Beth Fitch Women’s Studies Conference: “Leveling the Playing Field: Examining Gender, Social Justice and Sports,” Thursday, March 17th, 2011

On Thursday, March 17th, 2011 the Women’s Studies Program at California University of PA is sponsoring the sixth-annual Audrey-Beth Fitch Women’s Studies Conference. The theme for this year is “Leveling the Playing Field: Examining Gender, Social Justice and Sports.”

This year’s theme invites participants to critically examine issues, actions, cases, policies, and practices that comprise, challenge, and/or arise from the nexus of sports and social justice issues. From Title IX to drug testing, from the Williams sisters to Ben Roethlisberger, from softball to hardball, potential participants will interrogate, investigate, and celebrate women and/in sports.

Submissions are welcomed from diverse disciplines, including women’s/gender studies, social sciences, sports and athletics studies, communication studies, health sciences, economics, business, education, social work, humanities, and professional fields. Papers should relate directly to the theme and each presenter will have 15 – 20 minutes for her/his presentation.

Creative submissions are also welcomed. The conference organizers seek to create an event that informs, raises awareness, and/or motivates all involved to take action for change.

This one day conference features keynote speaker Jessica Mendoza, President of the Women’s Sports Foundation and softball Olympian. Also featured is Professor Deborah L. Brake, author of Getting in the Game: Title IX and the Women’s Sports Revolution (2010) and a nationally recognized expert on gender equality in sports.

All proposals must be in MSWORD format and include 1) a 500 (or fewer) word abstract describing the proposed paper/ presentation; 2) a resume or curriculum vita. Please submit proposals electronically to Dr. Marta McClintock-Comeaux at mcclintock@calu.edu with the subject line “2011 Audrey-Beth Fitch Conference.” The deadline for submissions is December 3, 2010.

Questions? Contact Dr. Marta McClintock-Comeaux at mcclintock@calu.edu with the subject line “2011 Audrey-Beth Fitch Conference.”

-Bridget Crawford