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All members of the UMass Amherst community are invited to submit proposals for talks, workshops and poster sessions for the 2025 Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Conference, which will take place on campus Sept. 17 and 18.

Hosted by the Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) in collaboration with campuswide partners, the JEDI Conference affirms the university’s commitment to equity and inclusion. The conference aims to build community and connection across campus, showcase campus resources supporting equity and inclusion, and promote a sense of belonging for all members of the UMass Amherst community.

Past sessions have explored topics such as “Increasing Belonging in Your Spheres of Influence,” “Introduction to Restorative and Transformative Justice,” “Religious/Spiritual Identity Diversity and Inclusive Practices,” and “Disability Equity and Inclusion: A Toolkit for the UMass Community.”

While all proposals aligned with JEDI values will be considered, OEI encourages submissions that address the themes of coalition building, nurturing our communities and working across difference. This year, organizers are introducing “lightning” sessions of 15-minute talks in addition to the traditional 60 to 90-minute sessions.

UMass Amherst staff, faculty and administrators are encouraged to apply through the online JEDI Conference Session Proposal form. OEI will be hosting drop-in sessions for applicants to help craft ideas and proposals.

Undergraduate and graduate students are also invited to submit proposals related to their research or work in the field of diversity, equity and inclusion, and may do so by filling out the online Student Poster Session Proposal form.

The deadline for submissions is June 20. All submissions will be reviewed, and applicants will be notified by the first week of July. Once confirmed, it is recommended that presenters keep their schedules flexible on Sept. 18 until the conference program is finalized.
 

Tentative Conference Schedule

Sept. 17:

Pre-Conference Student Poster Session, 11 a.m.-noon, Student Union Ballroom. Poster presenters are required to be available during this time. 

Keynote Speakers and Community Lunch, noon-4 p.m., Student Union Ballroom
 

Sept. 18:

Workshops and Community-Led Sessions, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Campus Center 

For more information and questions, contact Ebru Kardan at ekardan@umass.edu, or visit the OEI website.