2026 KPA Program

Thanks to all who attended the 2026 KPA Conference!

Special thanks to Dr. Frimpong-Mansoh for hosting the KPA at NKU.

Kentucky Philosophical Association 2026 Meeting: Call for Papers and Abstracts: Research, Teaching, Panels, and Student Essay Contest

CFP: KPA 2026 Meeting

Extended deadline: February 16, 206

Conference date(s):
April 18th, 2026

Conference Venue:

Sociology, Anthropology, and Philosophy Department, Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, United States

Details

CALL FOR PAPERS—Kentucky Philosophical Association Meeting—Saturday, April 19th

The Kentucky Philosophical Association is pleased to call for submissions of papers (preferred) or abstracts for its 2026 meeting on Saturday, April 18th, 2026. This year's meeting will be held at Northern Kentucky University (Landrum Academic Center, 2nd Floor) in Highland Heights, Kentucky (near Cincinnati, Ohio). 

We are delighted to announce that this year's keynote speaker will be Dr. Valerie Gray Hardcastle (Northern Kentucky University), whose talk is titled "The Question of Casey’s Law: Signals, Goals, Learning, Addiction, and Freedom".

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS: RESEARCH TALKS

Submissions on any philosophical topic are welcome.

Abstracts alone are acceptable at this stage. But preference will be submissions accompanied by partial or complete paper drafts extending beyond 1,500 words. Papers should not exceed 3,000 words (not including footnotes and references). Abstract and paper submissions should be prepared for blind review. Submissions should include a cover page with the following information in a separate file:

•    title of paper

•    100-to-150-word abstract

•    author’s name

•    institutional affiliation

•    email address

•    indicate whether you are willing to serve as a commentator should your paper be accepted

•   any A/V needs that are necessary should your paper be accepted

Please send research talk submissions to Landon Elkind (Western Kentucky University) at landon.elkind@wku.edu with ‘KPA 2026 Research Talk’ as the subject line.

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS: TEACHING TALKS

Submissions related to teaching philosophy in higher education settings are welcome. Topics might include discussions of syllabuses and course organization, assignment methods, grading methods, in-class activities, co-teaching courses, and more.

Abstracts alone are acceptable at this stage. But preference will be submissions accompanied by partial or complete paper drafts extending beyond 1,500 words. Papers should not exceed 3,000 words (not including footnotes and references). Abstract and paper submissions should be prepared for blind review. Submissions should include a cover page with the following information in a separate file:

•    title of paper

•    100-to-150-word abstract

•    author’s name

•    institutional affiliation

•    email address

•    indicate whether you are willing to serve as a commentator should your paper be accepted

•   any A/V needs that are necessary should your paper be accepted

Please send teaching talk submissions to Landon Elkind (Western Kentucky University) at landon.elkind@wku.edu with ‘KPA 2026 Teaching Talk’ as the subject line.

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS: PANEL DISCUSSIONS

Submissions related to philosophy in Kentucky and/or its higher educational settings, to philosophical research topics, or to matters of public significance and/or interdisciplinary interest (especially where these topics intersect in some substantial way with philosophical teaching, research, or methods) are welcome. Topics might include organizations of interdepartmental programs or research centers, public health policies or laws in Kentucky or the United States, or talks from those outside the discipline of philosophy and “what I would say to philosophers if I had the chance” (about our teaching, research, or other matters). Part of the point of panels is to facilitate interdisciplinary talks and exchange (given that many philosophy faculty and programs are housed within interdisciplinary departments or colleges). Panel participants may be faculty at universities, students, activists, policymakers, or practitioners.

Abstracts summarizing the orientation of the panel and what the audience might expect to hear about or learn should be submitted with the list of proposed panel participants (confirmation of participation by participants is not required at this stage). Please include with the abstract submission:

•    title of the panel

•    100-to-150-word abstract for the panel discussion

•    panel organizer’s name, institutional affiliation, and email address

•    panel moderator’s name, institutional affiliation, and email address (if different from above)

•    panel participants’ names, institutional affiliations (or relevant background), and email addresses

•  any A/V needs that are necessary should your paper be accepted

Please send teaching talk submissions to Landon Elkind (Western Kentucky University) at landon.elkind@wku.edu with ‘KPA 2026 Panel Discussion’ as the subject line.

CALL FOR PAPERS: STUDENT ESSAY CONTEST

The Student Essay Contest is open to any undergraduate student who attends a college or university in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Each contestant may submit one essay entry only.

The first-place winner will receive $100 and be asked to read their paper at the KPA annual meeting. The runner up will receive a letter of recognition from the Kentucky Philosophical Association.

Papers should not exceed 3,000 words (not including footnotes and references). Abstract and paper submissions should be prepared for blind review. Submissions should include a cover page with the following information in a separate file:

•    title of paper

•    100-to-150-word abstract

•    author’s name

•    institutional affiliation

•    email address

•    indicate whether you are willing to serve as a commentator should your paper be accepted

•   any A/V needs that are necessary should your paper be accepted

Please send questions and contest submissions to Rory Goggins (Murray State University) at rgoggins@murraystate.edu with “KPA 2026 Student Essay Contest” as the subject line.

INCLUSIVE ATMOSPHERE AND ACCOMMODATIONS REQUESTS

The KPA is committed to inclusion and welcomes a diversity of perspectives and backgrounds including but not limited to gender diversity, people of color, the LGBTQ community, and people with disabilities. All conference activities will occur in accessible buildings. To request accessibility accomodations, please contact Landon Elkind (Western Kentucky University) at landon.elkind@wku.edu.

https://kentuckyphilosophy.blogspot.com/  

 

KPA 2025 Call for Papers + Student Essay Contest

 Note: 2025 meeting was canceled due to unforeseen circumstances! KPA will return in 2026!!!

Conference Venue:

Sociology, Anthropology, and Philosophy Department, Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, United States

Details

CALL FOR PAPERS—Kentucky Philosophical Association Meeting—Saturday, April 19th

The Kentucky Philosophical Association is pleased to call for submissions of papers (preferred) or abstracts for its 2025 meeting on Saturday, April 19th, 2024. This year's meeting will be held at Northern Kentucky University (Landrum Academic Center, 2nd Floor) in Highland Heights, Kentucky (near Cincinnati, Ohio). We are delighted to announce that this year's keynote speaker will be Dr. Valerie Gray Hardcastle (Northern Kentucky University), whose talk is titled "The Question of Casey’s Law: Signals, Goals, Learning, Addiction, and Freedom".

Submission requirements

Submissions on any philosophical topic are welcome. Abstracts are acceptable, but preference will be given to completed papers. Papers should not exceed 3,000 words (not including footnotes and references) and should be prepared for blind review. Include the following information as a cover page in a separate file:

• Title of paper
• 150-word abstract
• author’s name
• institutional affiliation
• email address
• indicate whether you are willing to serve as a commentator should your paper be accepted
• any A/V needs that are necessary should your paper be accepted

Please send questions and submissions for the main program to Landon Elkind (Western Kentucky University) at landon.elkind@wku.edu with ‘KPA 2025 Paper’ appearing in the subject line.

CALL FOR PAPERS—Student Essay Contest
Submissions: follow requirements listed above for submissions to the general meeting.

• Eligibility: This contest is open to any undergraduate student who attends a college or university in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Each contestant may submit one essay entry only.
• Awards: The first-place winner will receive $100 and be asked to read the paper at the KPA annual meeting. The runner up will receive a letter of recognition from the Kentucky Philosophical Association.

Please send questions and contest submissions to Rory Goggins (Murray State University) at rgoggins@murraystate.edu with “KPA 2025 Student Essay Contest” as the subject line.

The KPA is committed to inclusion and welcomes a diversity of perspectives and backgrounds including but not limited to gender diversity, people of color, the LGBTQ community, and people with disabilities. All conference activities will occur in accessible buildings. To request accessibility accomodations, please contact Landon Elkind (Western Kentucky University) at landon.elkind@wku.edu.

KPA 2024 Program

The provisional program for the 2024 Kentucky Philosophical Association Meeting is here. A final program, including commentators, will be shared when available.

(link updated 4/9/2024)

KPA 2024 Submission Deadline Extended

The submission deadlines for the KPA 2024 Meeting and Student Essay Contest have been extended to March 8, 2024.

CFP: 2024 Kentucky Philosophical Association Meeting and Student Essay Contest

CALL FOR PAPERS—Kentucky Philosophical Association Meeting—Saturday, April 27th

The Kentucky Philosophical Association is pleased to call for submissions of papers (preferred) or abstracts for its upcoming 2024 meeting on Saturday, April 27th, 2024. The meeting will be held at at Western Kentucky University, in Bowling Green, KY (within an hour's drive of Nashville, TN and its international airport). 

We are also pleased to announce that our keynote speaker is Dr. Robert B. Talisse (Vanderbilt University) whose talk title is "The Civic Value of Solitude".

Submission requirements

Submissions on any philosophical topic are welcome. Abstracts are acceptable, but preference will be given to completed papers. Papers should not exceed 3,000 words and should be prepared for blind review. Include the following information as a cover page in a separate file:

• Title of paper
• 150-word abstract
• author’s name
• institutional affiliation
• email address
• indicate whether you are willing to serve as a commentator should your paper be accepted
• any A/V needs that are necessary should your paper be accepted

Please send questions and submissions for the main program to Landon Elkind at landon.elkind@wku.edu with ‘KPA 2024 Submission’ appearing in the subject line.

CALL FOR PAPERS—Student Essay Contest
Submissions: follow requirements listed above for submissions to the general meeting.

• Eligibility: This contest is open to any undergraduate student who attends a college or university in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Each contestant may submit one essay entry only.
• Awards: The first-place winner will receive $100 and be asked to read the paper at the KPA annual meeting. The runner up will receive a letter of recognition from the Kentucky Philosophical Association.

Please send questions and contest submissions to Christian Pace at christian.pace@wku.edu with “KPA 2024 Student Essay Contest” as the subject line.

Submission deadline for Meeting and Student Essay Contest: February 19, 2024 Deadline extended to March 8, 2024

The KPA is committed to inclusion and welcomes a diversity of perspectives and backgrounds including but not limited to gender diversity, people of color, the LGBTQ community, and people with disabilities. All conference activities will occur in accessible buildings. To request accessibility accommodations, please contact Landon Elkind at landon.elkind@wku.edu.

KPA 2023 -- Joint Meeting with Indiana Philosophical Association: Program

Joint Meeting of the Kentucky Philosophical Association and the Indiana Philosophical Association

March 31-April 1, 2023

Brescia University

Owensboro, KY

Click here for the Conference Program (penultimate draft), including registration and accommodations details

Please direct any questions to KPA President, Beau Branson.

CFP: 2023 KPA Annual Meeting and Student Essay Contest (Joint Meeting with the Indiana Philosophical Association)

 CALL FOR PAPERS

Joint Meeting of the Kentucky Philosophical Association and Indiana Philosophical Association

Deadline for all submissions: January 31, 2023 (11:59 pm EST) 

In conjunction with the
Division of Humanities
at Brescia University 

Friday, March 31^st to Saturday, April 1^st, 2023
Brescia University
Owensboro, Kentucky 

Keynote Address
"Dethroning Aquinas"
Dr. Richard Cross
University of Notre Dame

CALL FOR PAPERS—General Meeting—Friday, March 31^st to Saturday, April 1^st
Submission requirements: Submissions on any philosophical topic are welcome. Abstracts are acceptable, but preference will be given to completed papers. Papers should not exceed 3,000 words and should be prepared for blind review. Include the following information as a cover page in a separate file: Title of paper, 150-word abstract, author’s name, institutional affiliation, and email address, indicate whether you are willing to serve as a commentator should your paper NOT be accepted, and, finally, any A/V needs that are necessary should your paper be accepted.

Please send questions and submissions for the main program to Beau Branson at beau.branson@brescia.edu with ‘KPA SUBMISSION GENERAL’ appearing in the subject line.

CALL FOR PAPERS—Kentucky Student Essay Contest
Submissions: follow requirements listed above for submissions to the general meeting.

• Eligibility: This contest is open to any undergraduate student who attends a college or university in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Each contestant may submit only one entry.

• Awards: The first-place winner will receive $100 and be invited to read the paper at the KPA / IPA joint conference. The runner up will receive a letter of recognition from the Kentucky Philosophical Association.

Please send questions and contest submissions to Landon Elkind at landon.elkind@wku.edu with “KPA STUDENT CONTEST SUBMISSION” appearing in the subject line.

Please send submissions either to the Kentucky Philosophical Association, or the Indiana Philosophical Association, but not both. This will be a joint meeting of the KPA and IPA. KPA’s usual annual meeting for elections and other business will take place during this meeting. We are committed to inclusion and welcome a diversity of perspectives and backgrounds including but not limited to gender diversity, people of color, the LGBTQ community, and people with disabilities. Accommodations will be made available upon request, however this will be an in-person conference, and we will not have the ability to allow remote participation.

Program: Kentucky Philosophical Association, 2022 Meeting

The program for the 2022 meeting of the KPA is available here.

The meeting will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2022, at Morehead State University.

Please direct any questions to the current KPA President, Dr. Justin Spinks: justin.spinks(at)eku.edu

CFP: Kentucky Philosophical Association Annual Meeting 2022

Kentucky Philosophical Association, Annual Meeting

In conjunction with the Department of History, Philosophy, Politics, International Studies, and Legal Studies at Morehead State University 

Saturday, April 9th, 2022 

Morehead State University 

Morehead, Kentucky 

Keynote Address: 

“Reason, Cause and Ground in Leibniz’s Philosophy” 

Dr. Brandon Look 

University of Kentucky 

CALL FOR PAPERS—General Meeting 

Submission requirements: Submissions on any philosophical topic are welcome. Abstracts are acceptable, but preference will be given to completed papers. Papers should not exceed 3,000 words and should be prepared for blind review. 

Include the following information as a cover page in a separate file: Title of paper, 150-word abstract, author’s name, institutional affiliation, and email address, indicate whether you are willing to serve as a commentator should your paper NOT be accepted, and, finally, any A/V needs that are necessary should your paper be accepted. 

Please send questions and submissions for the main program to Justin Spinks at d.spinks@moreheadstate.edu with ‘KPA SUBMISSION GENERAL’ appearing in the subject line. 

CALL FOR PAPERS—Student Essay Contest 

Submissions: follow requirements listed above for submissions to the general meeting. 

• Eligibility: This contest is open to any undergraduate student who attends a college or university in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Each contestant may submit one essay entry only. 
• Awards: The first-place winner will receive $100 and be asked to read the paper at the KPA annual meeting. The runner up will receive a letter of recognition from the Kentucky Philosophical Association. 

Please send questions and contest submissions to Beau Branson at beau.branson@brescia.edu with “KPA STUDENT CONTEST SUBMISSION” appearing in the subject line. 

Deadline for all calls: January 31, 2022 (11:59 pm EST) 

Although COVID-19 remains an issue, we are looking forward to an in-person conference, along with the personal exchanges, informal conversations, and overall dynamism that comes with this experience. All current CDC recommendations and MSU masking guidelines will be followed. The KPA is committed to inclusion and welcomes a diversity of perspectives and backgrounds including but not limited to gender diversity, people of color, the LGBTQ community, and people with disabilities. Accommodations will be made available upon request.

CFA: KPA Summer 2021 Scholars Workshop

 

Kentucky Philosophical Association (KPA)

Summer 2021 Scholars Workshop

July 22-23, 2021

Hosted at Bellarmine University, Louisville, KY

Call for Abstracts

Submissions deadline May 1, 2021

The KPA invites the submission of abstracts for papers (4,000-7,000 words) on any topic in philosophy. We invite faculty, graduate students, and independent scholars to share in the opportunity to present and discuss their current work.

Abstracts should be 150 words or less. Decisions will be announced the first week of June. A draft of the accepted paper will be due by July 1, 2021 and distributed among the participants. Each participant will have 80 minutes for their work, which includes an overview of the paper and discussion.

At this time, we are planning for a hybrid workshop with virtual participation and in-person attendance if it is safe to do so. If it is not possible to be in-person, the workshop will be held virtually.

Please email submissions to Eva Cadavid at eva.cadavid@centre.edu with the subject line “KPA 2021 workshop abstract”. Include in the email the following information:

1. Title of paper

2. 150-word abstract (attached as a pdf)

3. Author's name

4. Author's institutional affiliation (if applicable)

5. Author's email address

6. Indication whether campus housing will be necessary

Note: Campus housing will be available starting on July 21 at the cost of $30/night for a single room and $45/night for double room. Registration fee for the workshop is $30 for virtual and $70 for in person, which covers continental breakfast, snacks, and lunches for both days.

Update from the KPA President: 2021 KPA Meeting Cancelled

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the KPA will not be holding its annual conference this spring. We will be hosting a virtual business meeting in the coming months to discuss the possibility of future events and other matters, along with elections for the leadership positions. I will update this page, along with the KPA website, when a date for the business meeting has been set, along with information on how to join and participate. There are still plans to host a virtual "Scholars Workshop" this summer (more information on this to come) and hopefully we will be able to resume our annual conference in 2021. Thanks to everyone for your continued interest and support.

CFA: Kentucky Philosophical Association Summer 2020 Scholars Workshop

Kentucky Philosophical Association (KPA)

Summer 2020 Scholars Workshop

July 23-24, 2020

Hosted at Bellarmine University, Louisville, KY

Call for Abstracts

Submissions deadline May 15, 2020

The KPA invites the submission of abstracts for papers (4,000-7,000 words) on any topic in philosophy. We invite faculty, graduate students, and independent scholars to share in the opportunity to present and discuss their current work.

Abstracts should be 150 words or less. A draft of the accepted paper will be due by July 1, 2020 and distributed among the participants. Each participant will have 80 minutes for their work, which includes an overview of the paper and discussion.

Please email submissions to Eva Cadavid at eva.cadavid@centre.edu with the subject line

“KPA 2020 workshop abstract”. Include in the email the following information:

1. Title of paper

2. 150-word abstract (attached as a pdf)

3. Author's name

4. Author's institutional affiliation (if applicable)

5. Author's email address

6. Indication whether campus housing will be necessary

Note: Campus housing will be available starting on July 22 at the cost of $30/night for a single room and $45/night for double room. Registration fee for the workshop is $70 and covers continental breakfast and lunches for both days.

CFP: Kentucky Philosophical Association 2020, General Meeting and Student Essay Contest

Kentucky Philosophical Association Annual Meeting

Deadline for all calls: January 17, 2020 (11:59 pm EST)

In conjunction with the Department of History, Philosophy, Politics, International Studies, and Legal Studies at Morehead State University

Saturday, April 4th, 2020
Morehead State University
Morehead, Kentucky

Keynote Address
“Reason, Cause and Ground in Leibniz’s Philosophy”
Dr. Brandon Look
University of Kentucky

CALL FOR PAPERS—General Meeting—Saturday, April 4th
Submission requirements: Submissions on any philosophical topic are welcome. Abstracts are acceptable, but preference will be given to completed papers. Papers should not exceed 3,000 words and should be prepared for blind review. Include the following information as a cover page in a separate file: Title of paper, 150-word abstract, author’s name, institutional affiliation, and email address, indicate whether you are willing to serve as a commentator should your paper NOT be accepted, and, finally, any A/V needs that are necessary should your paper be accepted.

Please send questions and submissions for the main program to Justin Spinks at d.spinks@moreheadstate.edu with ‘KPA SUBMISSION GENERAL’ appearing in the subject line.

CALL FOR PAPERS—Student Essay Contest
Submissions: follow requirements listed above for submissions to the general meeting.
• Eligibility: This contest is open to any undergraduate student who attends a college or university in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Each contestant may submit one essay entry only.
• Awards: The first-place winner will receive $100 and be asked to read the paper at the KPA annual meeting. The runner up will receive a letter of recognition from the Kentucky Philosophical Association.

Please send questions and contest submissions to Beau Branson at beau.branson@brescia.edu with “KPA STUDENT CONTEST SUBMISSION” appearing in the subject line.

Click here for a PDF of the CFP