Download the call for papers here.
- Conference Dates: June 8-10, 2026
- Place: McGill University, Montreal
- Deadline for proposals: February 15, 2026
- Submit proposal to: alcq.acql@gmail.com
- www.alcq-acql.ca
Founded in 1975 in the wake of Canada’s official ratification of multiculturalism, the Association for Canadian and Québec Literatures has, over more than 45 years, emerged as Canada’s premier association for showcasing multilingual and transnational research in Canadian and Québec literatures.
As last year’s scheduled conference was held virtually, the ACQL is proposing this year to host an in-person conference at McGill University from Monday, June 8th to Wednesday, June 10th. Some sessions may be held in a hybrid format, but we would like to keep the number to a minimum.
The 2026 ACQL conference will be held concurrently with the Canadian Comparative Literature Association’s conference, which will take place on McGill University’s campus at the same time. The associations are exploring the possibility of holding joint sessions and inviting a shared guest speaker.
Proposals
We invite potential participants to submit proposals on research, teaching, and professional matters of relevance to current or prospective Association members. We welcome presentations in English or in French.
As we strive to become a more inclusive and equitable association, ACQL also strongly encourages bilingual sessions as well as thematic and methodological research that focuses on issues of equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization as they intersect with language, class, gender, sexuality, dis/ability, and other sites of social hierarchies and oppression.
We welcome proposals for a variety of session types:
- Paper Panel: Panelists present a formal paper of 15-20 minutes, followed by
questions and discussion. - Member Organized Sessions: Panel organizers may present their own papers in the session that they organize.
- Seminar Workshop: Participants complete their papers in advance and distribute them to other seminar participants prior to the conference. Participants are encouraged to limit their presentations to 8-12 minutes to promote a substantial discussion period.
- Roundtable: Participants give brief presentations (roughly 5-10 minutes) in response to a specific question or concern, followed by discussion and debate with the audience.
- Pecha Kucha: 20 images are displayed for 20 seconds each, with explanation or commentary keyed to the images.
- Professional Development Workshop: Intensive presentations led by a moderator, revolving around issues of professional development that are of specific relevance to stages of their academic careers.
Conference Fees and ACQL Membership
Conference fees are $60 for faculty members; $40 for independent scholars; and $20 for graduate students. Participation requires up-to-date ACQL membership. See the ACQL website (www.alcq-acql.ca) for membership and registration information.
Proposal Submission
Please submit your paper or session proposals (maximum 300 words) with a short biography in Word or RTF by 15 February 2026 to acql.alcq@gmail.com
- In your proposal, please specify:
- the nature of your presentation (traditional paper, poster, Pecha Kucha, etc.);
- the language (English, French, or bilingual);
- if you will be presenting in person or virtually (the number of virtual presentations will be limited).