Call for Work

We cordially invite students, community members, and others to submit proposals for presentations at Lewis & Clark’s 12th annual Middle East and North African Studies Symposium, scheduled to take place on February 18-20th, 2026. This year’s MENA Studies Symposium explores storytelling and the rich oral and written narratives of the MENA region. This student-led event brings together scholars, activists, workshop leaders, and others to examine the unique opportunities storytelling has presented historically and today. Examining the challenges journalists, artists, poets, scholars, and others face in telling the stories of the Middle East, this year’s symposium delves into the history, politics, and modern context of storytelling and other forms of narrative in the MENA Region.

We welcome proposals for various presentation formats, including individual student research papers (15-20 minute presentations), hands-on workshops, roundtable discussions, readings, and exhibitions. We encourage submissions aligned with the overarching theme of narratives and representation, and also embrace a broad spectrum of topics. Geographically, we encompass North Africa, the Middle East, Asia Minor, and Southwest Asia. We invite papers that deal with both contemporary and historical topics.

Potential topics may encompass, but are not limited to:

1. MENA Journalism and Representation in the Media
2. Poetry, Literature, and Arts
3. Different Linguistic Traditions and Oral History
4. Who has the right to tell stories?
5. Migration, Diaspora, and Citizenship
6. Inequality and Human Rights
7. Peace and Conflict

Use this form to submit your proposal by December 17, 2025.

We look forward to your valuable contributions to this enriching symposium experience.