Call for papers: C.S. Lewis conference returns to campus Sept. 24-27
C.S. Lewis is one of the most influential voices of the 20th century, yet vast areas of his thought and legacy remain unexplored.
Building on the extraordinary momentum of our inaugural gathering, George Fox is hosting the 2026 Undiscovered C.S. Lewis Conference Sept. 24-27. This event will convene the world’s leading scholars and the next generation of thinkers for four days of cutting-edge research and imaginative engagement.
Scholars are invited to submit anonymous proposals of 300 to 500 words by March 31, 2026. Proposals should be for 20-minute papers in one of the six categories of our general theme “the undiscovered C.S. Lewis”:
- Historical studies that set Lewis in his own time
- Reassessments that question, contest, reaffirm, or clarify interpretations of his work or biography
- Comparative studies on Lewis and other thinkers and writers
- [Re]assessments of Lewis’s work in light of contemporary situations
- Explorations of his lesser-known material, and
- Presentations of previously unpublished material by Lewis
Acceptable submissions include, but are not limited to, the following disciplines: history, biography, literature, philosophy, theology, apologetics, ethics, political science, natural sciences, cultural studies, and rhetoric.
Proposals not specifically focused on Lewis but advancing scholarship on other Inklings or related writers are also welcome.
As a public-facing academic conference, we invite papers that are scholarly but accessible to a wider public audience. Submissions are welcome from scholars at every career stage, and limited scholarships (free conference registrations) are available for students or independent scholars with accepted papers.
Email submissions for peer-review consideration to undiscoveredlewis@georgefox.edu by the March 31 deadline. Please anonymize your submission.
Questions or inquiries prior to submission regarding the suitability of proposals may be directed to professor Jason Lepojärvi at jlepojarvi@georgefox.edu.