Reciprocity, Interdependence, & Writing

SLAC-WPA Conference

January 8-9, 2027

hosted by Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colorado

Call for Proposals

Colorado College welcomes the SLAC-WPA Conference, and we invite members to share current
and on-going work in writing studies that engages with our theme, “Reciprocity, Interdependence, &
Writing.” This conference theme grows out of current reconciliations with what it means to create
non-extractive, mutually sustainable writing spaces at small liberal arts colleges amidst shifting
enrollment demographics, the enrollment cliff, ethical stewardship of resources, and engaged
responsibilities to space and place.

Colorado College occupies the unceded territory of the Ute Peoples, and the earliest documented
peoples also include the Apache, Arapaho, Comanche, and Cheyenne. While the West has
traditionally been viewed as a “frontier” for exploration and adventure—rugged individualists
pioneering new trails—we know that those myths of individualism and discovery obfuscate colonial
violence and displacement. As writing program administrators at SLACs, how do we divest from
such fantasies of individualism and colonial extraction? What are the pedagogical, administrative,
and assessment practices that refuse individualism and instead invest in reciprocity and
interdependence?

We might theorize “reciprocity” and “interdependence” through contemporary theories of cultural
and social knowledge production. Mia Mingus, crip of color activist and disability life-writer, names
“interdependence” as a radical reframing of neoliberal, ableist, and colonial habits of mind for
survival:

The myth of independence is the idea that we can and should be able to do everything on
our own and, of course, we know that that’s not true. […] We can’t pretend that what
happens in this country doesn’t affect others, or that things like clean air and water don’t
bound us all together. (1)

Mingus’ gesture to clean air and water feels urgent to writing programs as frictionless generative AI
use reproduces a myth of independence as writers rely on anthropomorphized tools to “brainstorm”
and “bounce ideas off of.” Interdependence feels especially crucial as WPAs navigate the interrelated
concerns of fully supporting student writers amidst financial pressures (real and imagined) which
impact human collaboration. How many programs face budget cuts or other forms of devaluing,
and how do we reaffirm the value of interdependent, creative collaboration?

However, these disruptions are also opportunities to rethink how we might build interdependence
and reciprocity in new ways, or examine gaps in our pedagogies, programs, and practices in places
where it has been lacking, or to celebrate and champion what has been working all along.
We invite proposals that explore reciprocity and interdependence in many forms and venues:
– As informing retention policies
– in writing center space design
– in designing and implementing writing program curriculum
– in grading and writing assessment ecosystems
– in first-year seminars and writing classes
– in community-based writing initiatives
– in writing scholarship that explores belonging and relationality
– in reciprocal mentoring relationships
– in tutor training that centers empathy, listening, and care
– in Bridge programs

Presentation Formats
We welcome proposals that engage these questions in a variety of formats that reflect the interactive,
relationship-rich traditions of the SLAC-WPA conference. Works-in-progress are welcome in each
format.
Roundtable discussion:
A cluster of 3-4 ten-minute presentations that engage a common theme or shared institutional
practice. You may propose an entire roundtable or a single presentation that the conference
organizers will cluster with kindred presenters.
Speedshare:
Short presentations that preview a new strategy, technique, or arrangement in tutoring, teaching, or
administering writing. Speed sharing presentations might share works-in-progress, new
developments in the field, novel administrative arrangements, ideas for assessment, strategies for
staffing, skills for stretching tight budgets, thoughts about faculty development, etc.
The format is a tradition at SLAC-WPA conferences and somewhat similar to a poster session, in
that presenters host a small table, deliver a presentation for 5-10 minutes, then facilitate 5-10 minutes of discussion. Participants move from table to table every 20 minutes. It’s low-tech and informal by design; presenters might have handouts, a large-format poster, or a laptop to display materials.
Un-Workshop:
In the spirit of the unconference, we invite proposals to host a one-hour “un-workshop.” This
format invites proposals to facilitate active, collaborative problem-solving or creative exploration;
works-in-progress could be a good fit for this format as well. Proposals (by one or more facilitators)
should offer a summary of the topic, issue, or problem, some framing questions, and a description
of potential facilitation methods or activities.
Submissions:
Proposals should include a title, description, rationale for the format, and activities for unconference
format, as well as A/V requests. Please submit through this webform by October 18th, 2026;
speedshare proposals will be accepted until December 4th . For questions or clarifications, please
contact Jarred Wiehe at jwiehe2024@coloradocollege.edu or Chris Schacht at
cschacht@coloradocollege.edu.

Travel Information:

The Hilton Garden Inn is walking distance to campus, or take a free downtown shuttle up to campus from one of the stops near the hotel. The reservation includes a buffet-style breakfast. There are also ADA rooms available. Click here for reservations.