We design conferences as living knowledge ecosystems—spaces for shared inquiry and multiple ways of presenting research and creative work.
Plenaries are the intellectual centerpiece of each conference, featuring leading and emerging thinkers exploring the annual theme.
Talking Circles invite open, reflective discussion. Participants move from audience members to collaborators through reciprocal listening and shared insight.
These are on-site learning experiences—museum visits, field studies, or exhibitions—that connect research with place and practice.
Themed Papers, Colloquia, Workshops, Posters, Creative Practice Showcases, and Innovation Sessions—each designed for distinct modes of research exchange.
Online participation is asynchronous. Presenters upload videos or digital posters via CGScholar, where delegates engage through discussion boards and comments.
CGScholar hosts all digital components—uploads, discussion forums, archives, and networking—connecting in-person and online delegates in one platform.
Audience Passes allow delegates to attend sessions, participate in discussions, and access all online materials without presenting.
A professional development initiative supporting graduate students and early-career researchers through mentoring, conference participation, and publication opportunities.
Applicants must be currently enrolled graduate students or early-career scholars working in fields related to the conference theme.
Numbers vary by conference, maintaining a small cohort for meaningful mentoring and collaboration.
Complimentary conference registration, Research Network membership, and formal recognition during the conference program.
Two categories: In-Person Emerging Scholars and Online Emerging Scholars, both fully integrated into the conference experience.
They chair sessions, lead discussions, attend plenaries, and contribute to the collegial atmosphere of the event.
Apply via the conference website under Emerging Scholar Awards. Each Research Network manages its own process.
Early Application: 8 months before the event; Final Application: 3 months before the event. Notifications are sent approximately 7 and 3 months prior to the conference.
Your payment will be credited to your Scholar Wallet for future use. Refunds are not issued.
Emerging Scholars become part of the broader scholarly ecosystem, linking their conference participation to ongoing mentorship and publication through CGScholar.
Each conference secures discounted rates at selected hotels for delegates. See the Hotel & Travel tab on your conference webpage for details. Please note that Common Ground facilitates the rate only and is not involved in booking. Participants are responsible for confirming reservations directly with hotels.
Equipment varies by session type and venue. Check the Venue page or the Delegate Information Packet for a detailed list of what’s provided.
Presentation requirements—including file formats, upload instructions, and deadlines—are detailed in the Conference Presentation Guidelines section of your network’s site.
As a not-for-profit organization, Common Ground does not offer financial aid or travel grants. We encourage applicants to explore institutional or local funding and to apply for the Emerging Scholar Award for fee support.
All presenters receive a Presentation Letter as an official record. At the Conference: request a printed copy at the registration desk after presenting. After the Conference: download a digital copy from your CGScholar account.
Scheduling requests are accepted only for eligible in-person sessions (Papers, Colloquia, Workshops) and must be submitted before the program is published—about two months prior to the conference.
No. Online-only presentations are asynchronous to ensure access across time zones and are therefore not eligible for scheduling requests.
You must have:
An accepted proposal in your CGScholar account
A completed and paid registration
A unique registration per presentation (each co-presenter must register separately)
Both your proposal and registration linked under the same CGScholar account
If issues arise (e.g., multiple accounts), submit a support ticket via CGScholar.
First confirm you’re logged into the correct CGScholar account. If your proposal or payment does not appear, contact support with the subject line “Multiple CGScholar Accounts.”
The final program is posted approximately one month before the conference. Presenters will be notified by email when the schedule is live.