The 29th MGSA SYMPOSIUM
15-18 October, 2024 · University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago,
General Guidelines and Information
Abstracts
Each paper abstract should explain briefly the scope and focus of the proposed topic, methodology, research sources, and the broader significance for its discipline and the field of Modern Greek Studies. All abstracts should be written with an eye to clarity, coherence, quality, engagement with existing literature, and the contribution to scholarly debate.
Abstracts should reflect original work that has not been previously presented or announced in other venues, as this compromises the blind review process.
No one may present more than one paper or serve as a presenter and commentator or chair on the same panel.
Jointly authored abstracts and papers are welcome.
Undergraduates may participate ONLY in the Undergraduate Poster Session.
At the symposium, all papers must be presented in person. No papers on regular session panels may be read by proxies, via Zoom, or by any other electronic means.
Individual Paper Proposals
Individuals should submit abstracts of up to 350 words electronically by January 15, 2026. The Program Committee will inform individuals of acceptances and rejections by March 15, 2026.
Panel Proposals
The Panel Convener should submit a panel description of up to 500 words electronically by January 31, 2026. The description should include the panel topic and the connections between papers, along with the abstracts of individual papers, which should not exceed 350 words each. The Program Committee will inform panel conveners and individuals submitting abstracts of acceptances and rejections by March 15, 2026. Panels will be reviewed for the quality of the entire panel and individual papers. They may be accepted or rejected in their entirety, or papers may be accepted individually, depending on the quality of submissions.
Panels may have no more than 4 participants. If the panel convener wishes to include a commentator, then the commentator will be the 4th member of the panel, introduced (but not identified) as a member in the panel abstract. The abstract should provide the rationale for including a commentator.
Panel descriptions and individual abstracts must adhere to the blind review process. The convener of the panel will give the names and affiliations of individual authors only where it is required in the electronic submission and not in the panel or individual abstracts.
Proposals for Special Session
(Workshop, Luncheon Brainstorming Session)
The Special Session organizer should submit a description of the proposed session (up to 500 words) electronically by January 31, 2026. Organizers of special sessions are notified of the PC’s decision by May 1, 2026.
Special sessions are distinct from academic conference panels. They offer an opportunity for presenters and audience to work through a question, problem, new approach of pedagogical, practical, or theoretical interest, or to think more broadly about trends in the field. Discussion with the audience is a key component. Accordingly, the process of review is different from that of submitting abstracts for academic panels: the process is not blind, the proposal is for the entire session and does not include individual abstracts, and proposals are reviewed after individual and panel abstract submissions have been vetted.
NB: Only current MGSA members may propose special sessions. Organizers must be aware that there is no guarantee of acceptance.
Undergraduate Poster Session
The Undergraduate Poster Session is a forum for undergraduates to present original research. Research posters summarize research concisely, using text, graphics, and visuals. Proposals should include a title, a 350-word description of the project, research methods, and the significance of the original work. Undergraduate researchers should submit abstracts electronically by January 15, 2026.
Undergraduate Poster Session ▶
Deadlines
Deadlines for submissions are non-negotiable and final. All submissions must be made electronically through the forms linked on this page
No other means of submission will be permitted.
Review Process
Abstracts for individual papers and panels should not include the name(s) of presenters. Compromise of the blind review process automatically disqualifies the submission.
All submissions will be judged by the MGSA 2026 Symposium Program Committee. No events will be scheduled that do not follow the submission process or come directly from the Program Committee. All decisions of the Committee are final.
While MGSA membership is not a requirement at the time of submitting an abstract for a paper or panel, being a member is required for those whose presentations have been accepted.
While Symposium participants are expected to cover their own expenses, some funding for graduate students and recent PhDs is available (see below).
Audio-visual
The Local Arrangements Committee negotiates with the university/conference center a package for AV that includes projector, screen, internet access, VGA/HDMI/DVI etc.cable, sound, podium with microphone, and panelists’ table with at least one microphone.
Presenters must send an email notification to mgsa.org@gmail.com if they need anything in addition to what is provided in the above package.
Allocation of Chairs
The Committee selects all chairs for the program, including panel chairs. No panel member will serve as presenter and chair of the same panel. The role of the chair is to keep time and guide discussion. The role of the chair should not be confused with that of a commentator, who may be included in the panel proposal as a panel member.
Graduate Student Grants
There is a small fund available to defray costs for participating graduate students and recent graduates who are unemployed. The exact level of funding that will be made available to graduate students will be announced at a later date. Funding is contingent on timely registration and application for funds with documentation of status.
Program Contact Information
Questions may be submitted with this contact form →
or addressed to:
Dr. Vangelis Calotychos
MGSA Executive Director