KWB 2026 Summit Proposal Call is Open!

KWB Theme

Periods of uncertainty challenge established ways of knowing and acting. In such moments, research is not only a tool for explanation or prediction; it becomes a vital practice of sense-making. Researchers are called upon to navigate ambiguity, contested meanings, incomplete data, and rapidly shifting contexts while generating insight that can inform understanding, decision-making, and action.

The 2026 Knowledge Without Boundaries Virtual Research Summit (Summit) invites scholars, practitioners, and community partners to explore research as sense-making in times of uncertainty. This Summit creates an interdisciplinary space to reflect on how research is conducted, interpreted, communicated, and mobilized when traditional assumptions, methods, or frameworks are unsettled. Rather than viewing uncertainty solely as a limitation, the Summit foregrounds it as one that reshapes research questions, methods, ethics, and impact. 

The Summit will be held on October 22-23, 2026. The Summit will be held entirely online, creating an accessible, international space for dialogue across disciplines, sectors, and career stages. We encourage submissions from all stakeholders, including faculty, administrators, students, alumni, staff, and industry partners.

Thematic Framing from the Organizers

From the organizers’ perspective, this Summit is grounded in the belief that research is not only a means of generating knowledge, but a powerful practice of interpretation, connection, and transformation, particularly in times of uncertainty. As scholars and practitioners, we are increasingly asked to make sense of complexity, respond to disruption, and engage responsibly with communities and organizations facing real and urgent challenges. This Summit invites participants to critically examine how research helps us navigate ambiguity, bridge disciplinary divides, and imagine new possibilities for action. By bringing together differing voices, lived experiences, and ways of knowing, we aim to cultivate a shared space where scholarship becomes a catalyst for ethical engagement, collaboration, and meaningful societal impact. 

We welcome proposals that address the Summit from varied perspectives, including (but not limited to):

• Research practices during crisis, disruption, or transition

• Sense-making, interpretation, and meaning-making in research processes 

• Methodological innovation in uncertain or rapidly evolving contexts

• Reflexivity, positionality, and researcher experience under uncertainty 

• Interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches to complex problems

• Data ambiguity, incompleteness, and contested evidence 

• Research ethics and responsibility in unstable or high-stakes settings

• Knowledge production, legitimacy, and trust in uncertain times 

• Participatory, collaborative, or community-engaged research practices

• Digital methods, AI, and algorithmic sense-making 

• Narrative, visual, or creative approaches to research and sense-making

• Communicating research findings amid uncertainty and disagreement 

We encourage submissions that are theoretical, empirical, methodological, critical, or practice-based, as well as those that challenge conventional academic formats.

Proposal Formats

All presentations are 20 minutes in length. We welcome proposals that highlight one or more of the following: 

Completed or Ongoing Research 
Present your latest research findings, ongoing projects, and empirical studies that contribute to the advancement of knowledge and practice. From quantitative analyses to qualitative inquiries, we seek contributions that push the boundaries of scholarship and offer practical insights for application in both academic and professional contexts. Dissertation research is welcome.

Theoretical or Conceptual Scholarship 
Engage in theoretical discussions, conceptual frameworks, and thought-provoking analyses through the presentation of white papers, publications, or other scholarly works that advance understanding of the Summit theme.

Effective Practices 
Share proven strategies and lessons learned in applying scholarly insights to real-world challenges. Whether in education, business, healthcare, or other fields, we invite practical demonstrations of effective practices that drive innovation and positive change.

Peer Review Participation

As the Summit continues to grow each year, so do the demands of the review process. To support a collaborative and rigorous review experience, all proposal submitters are required to review two to three proposals as part of the submission process. Additional information regarding the peer review process will be provided after the proposal submission deadline. 

Submission Guidelines

Each presentation may include a maximum of three presenters. Presenters may be listed on a maximum of three proposals. Only complete proposals submitted through the Submission Portal by the deadline will be considered. 

Submissions should include the following:

1. Title of the Presentation/Session
2. Summary - Summaries must be between 200- 350 words and follow APA 7th edition formatting guidelines, including in-text citations and any relevant references related to the summary, if applicable. The summary should describe the (a) purpose, (b) focus, (c) relevance, (d) objectives of the proposal and (e) outline the key takeaways or insights attendees will gain from the presentation.
3. Presenter(s) Information - Please include names, email addresses, and highest degree earned for all presenters.

Summaries must be original work or the participant(s). Participants will be required to affirm the originality of the proposal, and the submission is the sole submission representing this work. Once all required information is prepared, proposals should be submitted through the Submission Portal.

Please note, all submissions are final. Please ensure that information within your submission is correct.

Submission Deadline: Sunday, June 14 at 11:59 PM (Arizona Time).

Registration and Attendance

Registration for the Summit will open in early summer. Early registration is encouraged to secure participation. Additional details, including the registration link and full Summit details, will be available on the Summit event page in the months leading up to the event. 

Submission Questions

For questions regarding the submission process, please contact: 

Dr. Kimberly Underwood 
kwb.summit@phoenix.edu