Conference

Submission Deadline: Friday 25 September 23:59 (BST) 2026

We are delighted to be heading to the University of Notre Dame’s London Campus, in the heart of the UK capital, from Friday 9 until Sunday 11 April 2027. This historic venue will host an unique CA Conference, as we offer an even greater range of sessions, increased digital access, a new booking system and some amazing sites and activities that London has to offer.

We are inviting everyone with an interest in our classical themes to participate in our Conference, whether you are an academic, a student, a teacher, an early-stage researcher, a professional in another sector, or an enthusiast, you can get involved as an attendee or a presenter. See below for details of the various formats designed to encourage participation from a wide range of speakers, across disciplines. We aim to foster a friendly and inclusive environment, in the hope that sessions will juxtapose speakers from different backgrounds, so that all can share ideas, challenges, and enthusiasms.

The programme will include daily keynote speakers and social events as well as interactive workshops and the opportunity to engage with exhibitors and experts. You can also look forward to the CA Teaching Awards, presentation of the CA Prize, and the 2027 Presidential Address with Professor Eleanor Dickey (University of Reading). Refreshments and merchandise will be provided. Delegates should source their own accommodation and will be advised about food options in the local area.

Due to space constraints at the venue, there may be fewer contemporaneous sessions than at recent CA Conferences; this will also reduce the number of competing panels.

Our session types for 2027 are:

• Panels: comprising individual papers (20 minutes of presenting, followed by up to 10 minutes of questions) and/or lightning talks (5 minutes of presenting, followed by up to 10 minutes of questions). Panels may be pre-formed by the submitter or formed by the organisers from individual submissions.

• Workshops: comprising collaborative discussion, focused on a theme which may include a small number of short presentations or lightning talks

• Drop in symposia: 30 minute slots during lunch breaks for discussion around a topic, led by a Chair (e.g. careers progression, supporting ECRs, sharing pedagogical best practice, forming research groups)

• Plenaries: these will be pre-organised by the CA

How to submit:

Anyone can submit a proposal; you do not have to be a member of an institution or a member of the Classical Association (although CA members will have access to early bird and reduced pricing to the Conference). We ask for abstracts to help us shape the Conference programme and to understand your ideas and approach – they don’t have to be perfect!

The Conference will have a range of delegates: if you wish to target your submission at a particular audience, such as undergraduates or secondary teachers, please make this explicit in your submission.

Please consider which of the following you would like to offer:

• present an individual paper
• give a lightning talk (prioritising discussion over presentation)
• form a panel of papers/talks
• organise or contribute to a workshop
• organise or chair a drop in symposium

Please prepare a maximum of two of the following:

• A paper or lightning talk proposal (with a title and up to 300 word abstract)
• A panel proposal (650 word overview, and up to 300 word abstract for each talk)
• A workshop proposal (650 word overview, including contributors, where relevant)
• A drop in symposium proposal (with a title/theme, and up to 300 word abstract)

If you are proposing a pre-formed panel or workshop, you must

1. Advocate diversity in the composition of your speakers
2. Ensure that you submit contact details for all of your speakers
3. Ensure that you have clearly selected who will chair your session
4. Ensure that all members of the session will attend the Conference (in person/online)
5. Let us know if your session would suit a particular number or type of delegate e.g. aimed at secondary school teachers/hands on workshop for X number of participants

Please note that:

If you are the proposed Chair of a panel or workshop you must include all the details for your panellists/contributors within this one form; they do not need to make individual submissions.

• Submission of a proposal is not a guarantee of acceptance
• Due to space restrictions at the venue, it is likely that there will be a higher proportion of rejections than in previous years – please ensure you have met all the criteria for submissions and note that we are unable to provide feedback about your submission
• Please do not make more than one form submission per person (up to 2 proposals)
• The CA significantly subsidises the cost of the Conference for delegates. In order to keep costs as low as possible for everyone, all attendees, including speakers and chairs, must pay the conference fee (which will include standard and discounted rates). Online participants will be required to pay a conference fee as well
• Speakers will be able to present virtually, if required
• Some sessions may be recorded
• No late submissions will be accepted

Click below to make your submission, before the deadline of Friday 25 September, 23:59 BST