The GIRS Proposal submission platform will be opening soon.

• There are two types of submissions:
  • Consideration to serve as a presenter on a session topic selected and organized by Diversity Abroad. Individuals will be asked to submit information related to their subject matter expertise and prior experiences presenting, teaching, or facilitating. This option is best suited for individuals who may not have identified a particular session topic or co-presenter(s).
  • Full proposal submission. Individuals will be asked to submit a title, abstract, session description, learning outcomes, and description of audience engagement. This option is best suited for individuals who have a clearly developed session topic and have identitied co-presenters to join their session.
• All questions have character limits specified in the application, which can be saved and revisited before submitting the application.
• To promote broad participation in the Global Inclusion Regional Submmit an individual may not appear as primary presenter or chair on more than two submissions and may not appear as a participating presenter on more than three submissions.
• All participants whose proposals are accepted (chairs, presenters, and panelists where applicable) are required to register for the Global Inclusion Regional Summit by the early bird deadline and attend the Summit to present their scheduled session. Presenters will receive a 10% discount on early bird pricing.
• Please be sure to add [email protected] to your email safe list to be sure email notifications are delivered to you. A PDF version of the call for proposals questions and prompts can be found here . Please note that all submissions must be submitted through the online portal to be considered.

The GIRS 2024 will be an opportunity to share innovations, build community, and collaborate to make progress towards a more sustainable and equitable future.

Diversity Abroad invites practitioners and academics with all levels of experience in diversity, equity, inclusion, and global education to submit proposals for panel sessions, round tables, and workshops.

The Global Inclusion Regional Summit (GIRS) reflects Diversity Abroad and its member community’s holistic approach to addressing and accelerating systemic and equitable change in all aspects of global education and cultural exchange, including:

• Outward Mobility (study abroad, exchange and short-term mobility)
• International Student Success
• Internationalization at Home
• Organizational and Career Development
• International Student Recruitment

With GIRS, Diversity Abroad is particularly interested in exploring the following questions:

• In what ways do conversations around diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and justice (DEIBJ) manifest themselves in international education and exchange in different regional contexts, particularly outside of the United States? How are they similar or different?
• What are contemporary examples of DEIBJ initiatives happening in international education and global learning in Europe and around the world?
• What are unique demographic and regional considerations that international educators must consider when collaborating with partners outside of their home countries?
• How might different approaches to DEIBJ be advanced to improve and expand international partnerships, student engagement and learning, connections with local communities, and other key components of international education and exchange programming?
• How do current institutional structures support the specific needs and interests of refugee students?
• How do current international student recruitment efforts advance or impede efforts to diversify international student populations (e.g., country of
• origin, class)?
• What is the role of recruitment agents in advancing efforts to attract and convert diverse populations of international students?
• How do institutions and organizations negotiate national educational and immigration policies with efforts to diversify the locations and backgrounds of international students?
• In what ways has climate justice been prioritized in international student mobility and global learning?

• Concurrent Sessions: Concurrent sessions must involve a minimum of two (2) and up to four (4) presenters in the presentation. Concurrent sessions are 50 or 60-minute interactive sessions. Presenters are encouraged to collaborate with colleagues and professionals from different campus units/offices and/or with colleagues from other institutions for greater consideration. Presenters must develop a tool/resource/framework that can be shared with the attendees. For example, a session focused on hiring practices might include sample interview rubric to mitigate bias.
• Deep Dives: Deep Dive sessions are interactive and engage participants in hands-on activities and discussions. Deep Dive sessions are 90 minutes, including a presentation or panel discussion with time for audience engagement such as breakout sessions, Q&A, and action planning activities. Deep Dive session submissions are expected to include a chair and have no more than three (3) additional presenters. Presenters must develop a tool/resource/framework that can be shared with the attendees. For example, a session focused on assessment might include sample student evaluation prompts and rubrics for evaluating best practices.
• Posters: Conference posters will encourage attendees to explore emerging themes in global education, diversity, and inclusion through interactive dialogue and visual representations (infographics, pictures, graphs, etc.). Proposals may encompass a broad range of topics such as: multicultural student experiences, promising practices/case studies, and research.

The GIRS Planning Committee invites session proposals inclusive of diverse perspectives that focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion in all sectors of global education. With this in mind, presenters are expected to identify which track applies to each proposed session:

Career Advancement & Belonging: This track explores inclusive excellence in the workplace in support of cultivating a culture of belonging, creating paths for career advancement, and ensuring representation of diverse professionals. Session topics may include hiring practices, training and development, professional development, mentorship, and allyship within global education and cultural exchange as well as balancing career advancement and health/wellness for diverse professionals.

• Study Abroad and Exchange: Ensuring students are equipped to succeed in study abroad or exchange programs requires professional services staff and academics to promote inclusive practices across the continuum of the study abroad process. This track will explore policies, advising practices, and support techniques to serve all students before, on-site, and after participating in international mobility.
• International Student & Exchange Programming & Success: Beyond supporting international students with immigration matters, many institutions engage in programming efforts to create meaningful connections with the local communities and domestic students as well as employers who host participants in internships or work experience opportunities. This track offers intentional program models and best practices that offer international students a greater understanding of the diverse communities that make up their host region.
• Internationalization at Home: Developing critical global competencies does not solely depend on student mobility. This track explores digital learning tools and meaningful international experiences at home - both on campus and within the local community - that global educators can leverage to equip students with the skills, knowledge, and global acumen to thrive in an interconnected 21st century workforce.
• Collaborative Leadership & Strategic Partnerships: international offices and organizations benefit from formalizing current diversity and inclusion efforts into a cohesive plan to broaden access and engender inclusion in all aspects of global education. This track examines the process and components of engaging multiple institutional stakeholders to develop a comprehensive diversity and inclusion strategy, as well as how to develop inclusive and comprehensive practices in global education.
• Academic & Curriculum Development: As higher education institutions become more globally diverse, academics are positioned to both advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in and through their work. Additionally, as academic ranks diversify, academics are positioned to foster a climate of inclusion and belonging to support the success of colleagues from diverse backgrounds. This track explores the role of academics in global education and best practices for global learning within teaching and learning.
• Policy: Navigating national, regional, and local policies that intersect with international education, student mobility, global learning, equity and inclusion, student services, and other key areas of programming can be complex. This track addresses topics and issues related to responding to government policies while implementing international education initiatives.
• Emerging Trends: We have seen significant change in both international education and diversity, equity, and inclusion work over the past decade. What do you foresee for the next decade? This track will explore emerging trends and innovations related to global education.

These “Tracks” provide a framework for participants of the conference to better understand the content of the session, especially for those seeking to specialize in one or more broad areas.

The focus of each session will help attendees understand the contents and intended outcomes of the session. Each submission will be expected to note the focus of its content:

• Research: These sessions will explore recent studies and findings related to the chosen track.
• Best Practices/Case Studies: Sessions with this focus will ground promising examples in frameworks and/or structures that will be applicable to a variety of situations. Submissions explicitly promoting a specific program or product will not be accepted.
• Trainings and Workshops: These sessions will be highly interactive, providing participants an opportunity to develop and practice new and existing skills related to the chosen track.