ABOUT

The CLA Online Children’s Literature Research Conference aims to be a forum for researchers of children’s literature to share their work and exchange ideas. The conference is supported by the CLA Endowment Fund. The conference welcomes a variety of theoretical and methodological approaches.

The 2026 CLA Online Research Conference

The 2026 CLA Online Research Conference will be held on Friday, February 20th, 2026. The theme of the conference is Care, Advocacy, and Children's Literature: Research in Theory and Praxis.

Proposal submissions for the conference are now accepted. Proposals are due by October 6, 2025. Proposal decisions will be made in mid November.

The conference will feature research presentations, a journal editor session, and a keynote talk from Jonda McNair. 

Conference Registration

  • Regular Rate: $30
  • Discounted Student Rate: $15
To open in late Fall 2025
Picture
2026 KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Jonda C. McNair, The Charlotte S. Huck Professor of Children's Literature

For Information Purposes Only - The Proposal Submission Deadline has Elapsed

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

Do you conduct children’s literature research? Submit an individual paper, symposium, or research in progress proposal using our online form. A variety of theoretical and methodological approaches are welcomed and encouraged.
Extended DEADLINE: Monday, October 6, 2025
Proposal decisions will be made in mid November

Proposal Types

  • Individual Paper Proposal: Proposes a 15-minute presentation reporting on a completed study. The organizing committee will combine accepted paper proposals with 2 other papers in a 1-hour session. 
  • Symposium Proposal: Proposes a full session involving 3 individual papers unified by topic or theme. Accepted symposia will be allotted a 1 hour time slot in the program (approx. 45 mins of presentations, 15 mins for Q&A).
  • Research in Progress Proposal:  Proposes a 15-minute presentation involving an on-going study that has made sufficient progress towards results.  If accepted, this presentation will be combined with similar presentations and will be a part of a larger session focused on research-in-progress.

Submission Form Guide

You will be asked to provide the following information:
  • Contact information for all presenters.
  • Select a Proposal Type
    • Individual Paper
    • Symposium
    • Research in Progress 
  • Proposal Title (Limit: 25 words)
  • Proposal Annotation to be included in the conference program (Limit: 100 words for individual and research in progress proposals/ 150 words for symposium proposals)
  • Proposal Description: Provide a description of the presentation proposed, including the topic and its significance. Do not include any author-identifying information.
    • Individual Paper Proposal Description (Limit: 500 words): Include the following details:
      • Overview w/ inquiry, research questions, or purpose;
      • Theoretical Framework
      • Data Collection and Analysis Methods or Research Design (what you did, why, and how as informed by what theory)
      • Determinations
      • Significance/Conclusion
      • Application to Conference Theme
    • Symposium Proposal Description (Limit: 1,000 words): Provide a brief overview of the symposium’s theme and structure and a description of each paper presentation proposed, including topics and significance. Do not include any author-identifying information. Include the following details:
      • Overview w/ inquiry, research questions, or purpose;
      • Theoretical Framework
      • Data Collection and Analysis Methods or Research Design (what you did, why, and how as informed by what theory)
      • Determinations
      • Significance of Symposium Topic/Theme
      •  Application to Conference Theme
    • Research in Progress Proposal Description (Limit: 500 words): Include the following details:
      • Overview w/ inquiry, research questions, or purpose;
      • Theoretical Framework
      • Data Collection and Analysis Methods or Research Design (what you are doing, why, and how as informed by what theory)
      • Preliminary Determinations
      • Significance of the Study
      • Application to Conference Theme
  • An indication where any of the proposal authors are interested in serving as proposal reviewers. 
QUESTIONS? CONTACT:
Dr. Xenia Hadjioannou: [email protected]

Past Conferences

The inaugural installment of the 2025 CLA Online Research conference Illuminating Children's Literature in Theory and Practice was held on February 21, 2025. The conference featured presentations from researchers across the United States and the world, a session with journal editors who publish children's literature research, and a keynote talk from Kathy Short.

Several of the conference presentations were recorded and are exclusively available to CLA members through the CLA Video Gallery.