Step 1: Determine the type of proposal
Once you have an idea of your topic, determine which type of proposal you wish to submit. There are four types of presentations at the annual meeting.
Research Interest Group (RIG). A finished paper of publishable quality is presented and discussed among a group of conference participants. If your proposal is accepted, the final paper must be submitted by June 1st, along with an indication of whether you want it considered (via blind peer review) for publication in the conference issue of Religious Education. Please see instructions under Step 2.
Collaborative Session. A group of three to four scholars may propose an interactive panel session (1 hour) in which they model collaborative academic inquiry and/or practical reflection around a particular topic. Preference will be given to sessions that bring together scholars who embody diverse cultural perspectives, methodological approaches, or religious traditions in their research and/or practice. If your proposal is accepted, a descriptive framework of the session must be submitted by June 1st. Please see instructions under Step 2.
Works-in-Progress. Designed as a means to present emerging research, research-in-progress that may lead to a publishable paper, or reflection on current religious education practices and programs, this format provides established and newer researchers with an opportunity to interact with other interested participants, networking and exchanging ideas. Your brief presentation will be shared in advance of the meeting and may use words, images, graphs, charts and/or tables. If your proposal is accepted, your slide deck, poster, Prezi, audio recording or other short (5-6 minute) presentation piece must be submitted by June 1st. Please see instructions under Step 2.
Demonstrations. Demonstrations are a place to show how different practices or methodologies can be used for religious education in various settings. In the spirit of “show, don’t tell” presenters will walk participants through a particular method or practice. For example, if a presenter uses virtual field trips in a religious education course, participants will go on a virtual field trip together. If a presenter uses guided meditations to introduce social issues to children, participants will experience and reflect on that practice. Before or after the experience, presenters will discuss how the method or practice has been used in context, how past participants have responded, and in what other ways the method or practice might be used in the field of religious education. If your proposal is accepted, a short (up to 250 words) description of the demonstration must be submitted by June 1st. Please see instructions under Step 2.
Step 2: Write your proposal
The proposal begins with an abstract of no more than 600 characters (approximately 100 words). You then have an additional 1,000 words to make the case for your proposed presentation.
For RIG papers, provide your abstract and follow it with the body of your proposal divided into three distinct and labeled sections:
- Summary of argument or main points and analysis that will be presented
- Description of methodology (e.g., literature-based review and analysis, qualitative or quantitative research, conceptual analysis, historical research, insights from a community of practice)
- Selected bibliography of primary sources framing your work.
- Indication of interest in having paper reviewed for publication in the conference special issue of Religious Education.
For Collaborative sessions, provide your abstract and follow it with the body of your proposal divided into five distinct and labeled sections:
- Summary of topic (e.g., main concepts/issues, and/or practice(s) being addressed)
- Professional location of facilitators (e.g. scholars of a specific disciplinary focus, practitioners with experience in a community of faith, in higher education, some combination thereof)
- Session format (Provide an outline of the session with a clear description of how it will encourage interactive engagement. Describe what each facilitator will be contributing.)
- Theoretical frameworks (Describe the primary theories that you anticipate will shape the participants’ experience and conversation.)
- Selected bibliography of primary sources framing the session.
For Works-in-Progress sessions, provide your abstract and follow it with the body of your proposal divided into five distinct and labeled sections:
- Summary of topic (e.g., main concepts/issues, and/or practice(s) being addressed)
- Research question and methodology
- Theories and primary references that inform/shape your research
- Innovative power/potential within the field of religious education
- Status of the research at the time of the proposal (e.g. finished ethnographic research, at beginning of reading, pilot study started)
For Demonstrations, provide your abstract and follow it with the body of your proposal divided into three distinct and labeled sections:
- Description of what you will be demonstrating.
- Summary of your experience in using this method or practice in the field of religious education.
- Vision of how the method or practice might be used in the future.
Step 3: Submit your proposal
The submission form will open on 1 November 2025.
The deadline to submit is 15 March 2026.
Step 4: Await notification of acceptance
Notification of your proposal’s acceptance status to the Annual Meeting program will be sent by 15 April 2026. Note that you do not have to be a member of REA to submit a proposal. However, if selected to present, presenters must hold a current membership and be registered for the meeting by 1 June 2026.
Step 5: Submit completed papers, outlines, or descriptions
Completed Research Interest Group (RIG) papers (with abstract provided on a separate cover page) must be received in electronic format (‘doc’, ‘docx’ or ‘pdf’) by the Executive Secretary (secretary [at] religiouseducation [dot] net) no later than 1 June 2026.
Final Collaborative Session descriptions must be received in electronic format (‘doc’, ‘docx’ or ‘pdf’) by the Executive Secretary (secretary [at] religiouseducation [dot] net) no later than 1 June 2026.
Final Works-in-Progress presentation materials must be received in electronic format (‘doc’, ‘docx’ or ‘pdf’) by the Executive Secretary (secretary [at] religiouseducation [dot] net) no later than 1 June 2026.
Final Demonstration descriptions must be received in electronic format (‘doc’, ‘docx’ or ‘pdf’) by the Executive Secretary (secretary [at] religiouseducation [dot] net) no later than 1 June 2026.
MATERIALS NOT RECEIVED BY THAT DATE WILL BE CANCELLED FROM THE ANNUAL MEETING PROGRAM.
For questions about the Call for Papers, please write to:
Dr. Heather Ingersoll
Chair of the Proposals Selection Committee
heather [at] godlyplayfoundation [dot] org