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.

2027 CLA Online Research Conference

Conference Information

The 2027 CLA Online Research Conference will be held on Friday, February 19th, 2027. The theme of the conference is Children’s Literature in a Changing World: Research in Theory & Praxis.
 
Featuring:
In addition to a full day of research presentations on a rich array of topics presented by established and emerging scholars, this year's program also includes:
  • A keynote delivered by Dr. Angie Zapata, leading children's literature researcher in language and literacies education and translingual/transmodal literacies
  • A special authors & publishers session featuring indigenous children’s book authors in conversation with publishing professionals, discussing the realities of writing and publishing for children in a changing world
  • A special editors roundtable session featuring editors from top children's literature journals, sharing upcoming calls for papers, and tips for successful submissions
  • Networking and opportunities to get involved with CLA

Conference Registration

  • Regular Rate: $30
  • Discounted Student Rate: $15

*NEW*
Grad Student Scholarship

The CLA Endowment will award 10 scholarships to cover the cost of registration for graduate students studying children's literature.

Please fill out our short form by 15 December to be considered.

Call for Proposals

The CLA Online Research Conference seeks proposals that explore this year's conference theme of Children’s Literature in a Changing World: Research in Theory & Praxis.
 
Submit an individual paper, full panel symposium, or research-in-progress proposal using our online form via Sessionize. A variety of theoretical and methodological approaches, presented by established and emerging scholars, are welcomed and encouraged.
 
Potential topics could explore:
  • changing technology
  • changing politics
  • censorship and book bans
  • evolving representation (e.g., #OwnVoices, gender, etc.)
  • storying possibilities; children’s literature for transformative futures
  • environmental changes / changing landscapes
  • space/place + migration
  • disability and neurodiversity
  • multimedia
  • changes in books and the book industry
  • intellectual freedom in a challenging age
  • explorations of genre and format
  • changing emotions: wonder, joy, contention, fear, etc.
 
Deadline for submissions: September 30, 2026
Proposals will be peer reviewed and decisions will be announced in mid-November.
 
Proposal Types
You will be asked to select a proposal type:
  • 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 (approx. 45 mins of presentations, 15 mins for Q&A).
  • Full Panel 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 (approx. 45 mins of presentations, 15 mins for Q&A).
 
Submission Form Guide
You will be asked to provide the following information:
  1. Session Title (max 25 words)
  2. Session Description: a full description of the presentation proposed, including the topic and its significance. Do not include author-identifying information (more details below)
  3. Session Annotation: a short description to be included in the conference program (max 100 words for individual and research in progress proposals/150 words for symposium proposals)
  4. Session Type: Individual, Full Panel Symposium, or Research-in-Progress
  5. Research Methodology: select a general methodology to assist organizers with pairing sessions and program building
  6. Volunteer to Peer Review: indicate whether any proposal authors are interested in serving as proposal reviewers
  7. Contact Information: name, affiliation, bio, and (optional) photo for the first presenter/submitter
  8. Invite Co-Presenters: list email(s) for co-presenters, they will be invited to create a profile and add their contact details
 
All Individual Paper and Research-in-Progress proposal descriptions should include (max 500 words):
  • Overview w/ inquiry, research questions, or purpose
  • Theoretical Framework
  • Data Collection and Analysis Methods or Research Design (what you did, why, and how it was informed by what theory)
  • Determinations (or Preliminary Determinations for Research-in-Progress)
  • Significance of the Study/Conclusion
  • Application to Conference Theme
 
All Full Panel Symposium proposal descriptions should include (max 1,000 words):
  • Provide an overview of the symposium’s theme and structure and a description of each paper presentation proposed, including topics, significance, and application to conference theme. Do not include any author-identifying information.
 
To develop a conference program that is diverse in prospectives and approaches, we welcome students, early career, established, and independent scholars from every country to submit proposals. We will do our best to accommodate presentation times in accordance with your time zone.
 
While we'd love if you joined CLA, membership is not required to submit a proposal or to attend the online conference. All presenters and attendees will need to register.

Proposal Submission

Deadline: September 30. 2026
QUESTIONS? CONTACT: Dr. Jennifer Slagus & Dr. Brandi Estey-Burtt
[email protected]

Proposal Submission

Deadline: September 30. 2026
QUESTIONS? CONTACT: Dr. Jennifer Slagus & Dr. Brandi Estey-Burtt
[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.
The 2026 CLA Online Research Conference was held on Friday, February 20th, 2026. The theme of the conference was Care, Advocacy, and Children's Literature: Research in Theory and Praxis. The conference featured research presentations on a rich array of topics, a keynote talk by Jonda McNair, a conversation with award-winning children’s book creators and researchers, and a  journal editor session.

Dr. McNair's keynote and the creators and researchers conversation were recorded and are exclusively available to CLA members through the CLA Video Gallery.