Concurrent Sessions are in the format of an engaged lecture or interactive data presentation. They should include reasonable time for answering audience questions, but should primarily be presentations of experience with critical thinking in research, theory, or practice. Each Concurrent Session runs 50 minutes in length.
Roundtable Discussions are held in circles and are more discourse-based. Typically, Roundtable Presenters will be placed in groups of 2-3 based upon overlapping subject matter. Roundtable Presenters will take their respective turns conducting a 10-15 minute presentation, and after all presentations are finished, the discussion will open into a Socratic dialogue among everyone in the circle. All Roundtable Discussions take place concurrently for 60 minutes.
All proposed Guest Presentations should be based on sound research, substantive theory, and/or substantive experience with critical thinking. All proposals will be evaluated by Senior Fellows of the Foundation for Critical Thinking.
We invite proposals from faculty, administrators, independent scholars, professionals, military and government personnel, and teachers at all levels; we invite proposals that explore the relationships between critical thinking and reasoning within academic subjects and disciplines, within professions, or within significant domains of human life; we invite proposals that deal with overcoming the barriers to critical thinking development; we welcome proposals focused on cultivating the intellect, and on developing and assessing intellectual constructs in any field of study.
Furthermore, we invite proposals focused on the relationship between critical thinking and the evolution of the public citizen - thus, we invite proposals that highlight the analysis and assessment of thought in connection with the development of intellectual virtues (such as intellectual humility, intellectual empathy, and intellectual integrity) in any part of life. All proposed Guest Presentations should dovetail with the core concepts of critical thinking presupposed by the Annual International Conference on Critical Thinking.
To submit a proposal, please email Jon Kalagorgevich at jon@criticalthinking.org . Proposals must be received by February 28, 2025. Please include your proposal directly in the body of the email, rather than as an attachment. (Supporting attachments are acceptable, but the proposal itself should appear within the actual email.) For yourself and for any co-presenters, please include all of the following information in your proposal:
1. Your first and last name.
2. The name of your institution and your professional title, if applicable. (No profession or affiliation is required to submit a proposal.)
3. Whether you prefer to present a Concurrent Session, Roundtable Discussion topic, or have no preference.
4. The title of the Concurrent Session or Roundtable Discussion you are proposing.
5. A brief abstract, including the purpose/function of your Session or Discussion. If your proposal is approved, this abstract will be published for conference participants to read, so those attending your Session or Discussion should have a reasonably clear idea of what to expect by reading the abstract.
6. A brief description of your conception of critical thinking. E.g., 'To me, critical thinking is . . .'
7. Your preferred contact telephone number, in case we need to reach you about time-sensitive matters related to the Concurrent Session or Roundtable Discussion program.