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Women in Higher Education: Past, Present, Future

Call for Papers | Online conference, June 2027

Key dates

  1. 6 January 2027Abstract deadline
  2. 15 February 2027Notification of acceptance
  3. 11 and 12 June 2027Conference (online)
  4. 15 September 2027Full chapter submission for the edited volume (selected papers)

An online conference hosted by the Professors Without Borders Women in Higher Education Fellowship.

The Women in Higher Education Fellowship invites submissions for an online conference exploring the evolving position of women across the higher education sector: where we have come from, where we stand now and where the field is heading.

Abstract deadline
6 January 2027
Conference (online)
11 and 12 June 2027
Attendance
Free

Themes

We welcome papers, case studies and practitioner reflections on themes including (but not limited to):

  1. 1

    “From Barrier to Ceiling”: A Historical Look at Women’s Advancement in Higher Education

    Historical and archival research tracing how access, promotion and authority for women in academia have shifted across regions and institutions.

  2. 2

    The Promotion Trap: Visibility, Credit and the Path to Leadership

    Current research and case studies on promotion criteria, gendered service burdens and the “glass cliff” in HE leadership appointments.

  3. 3

    Branding Yourself

    Personal branding, self-advocacy and visibility strategies for women academics, building on the Fellowship’s own session on this theme.

  4. 4

    Micropolitics and Conflict: Navigating Power in the Academy

    Research and practitioner reflections on institutional micropolitics, conflict management and informal power structures that disproportionately affect women.

  5. 5

    The Cost of Care: Mental Health and Well-being in Academic Life

    Empirical and personal-narrative perspectives on burnout, well-being and the emotional labour of academic careers.

  6. 6

    Mentoring as Infrastructure: Building Support Systems That Last

    What works in formal and informal mentoring models, including data or reflections from the Fellowship itself as a case study.

  7. 7

    Higher Education 2035: Innovation, Technology and the Future of Women’s Careers

    Forward-looking panel on how AI, changing institutional models and policy shifts could reshape opportunity (or risk) for women in the sector.

Who can submit

Researchers, doctoral candidates, HE professionals and practitioners at any career stage. Fellowship members and non-members alike are welcome.

Publication

Researchers are invited to co-publish papers, giving publishing and mentoring opportunities to WIHE fellows. A list of accepted papers open to join will be published later. You can also ask to be considered for the accompanying edited volume.

Submission formats

  • Paper presentationsMaximum 15 minutes. Panels capped at 4 papers each, followed by group Q&A.
  • Practitioner case studies or roundtable proposals20 minutes.

Help with your abstract

Purdue OWL: writing abstracts Purdue OWL: abstracts for presentations

How to submit

Complete the form with an abstract (200 to 250 words) and a short bio (up to 100 words) by 6 January 2027. Indicate your preferred format, your panel choices and whether you wish to be considered for the edited volume. Attendance is free.

The form asks for

  • Full name
  • Institution (if applicable)
  • Email address
  • Title of abstract
  • Abstract, 200 to 250 words
  • Short bio, maximum 100 words
  • Preferred format
  • Panel: first and second choice
  • Whether you wish to be considered for the edited volume
Submit your abstract