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The preliminary conference schedule is below, and more information about individual presentations and presenters as well as streaming options for correctional facilities will be shared in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!
Have more questions? Email us at isc@higheredinprison.org.
The Alliance believes that language is a powerful tool in shaping the culture and narrative in the field of higher education in prison, and in society as a whole. With this in mind, and drawing upon the rich history of work that has previously been engaged on this topic, we want to express our opposition to the usage of terms that are rooted in a history of violent and oppressive systems. Along with a vast majority of our community members, we share the view that terms such as “prisoner,” “inmate,” “offender,” “convict,” and “felon” are stigmatizing, dehumanizing, discriminatory, and continue to enact violence and do not acknowledge an individual’s full identity. We consider it standard practice to abstain from such language, unless you have experienced incarceration and choose to self-identify as such. Read the full statement
Shaun Libby, University of Maine at Augusta and Michigan State University
Erica Orta, Sinclair Community College
Kenneth Carter and Crisanto Escabalzeta, Hope College
Randy Arias, Emerson College
Sarah Martin, Candle, and Sasha zAy; Portland State University
Janet Johnson and Jay Jones, Goucher College
Serena Ayesha Ahmad, Adams State University
California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt students
Joseph Dole, John Robert, Ben Israel, Robert Curry, Isaiah McDonald, Victor Bandala-Martinez, Antoine Boyce, and LC Chapman; Knox College
Scott Dyleski, California State University, Dominguez Hills
Do Thao and Robert Wheeler, Marquette University
Martise Odems and Karshara Armstrong, Marquette University
Erik Maloney, Arizona State University
Jamel Walker, Californina State University, Dominguez Hills
Michael Stayer, University of Notre Dame, and Krystal Lowe, Washburn University
The Incarcerated Scholars Conference is a chance to unite voices from across the country, fostering collaboration and solidarity.
This conference offers a meaningful opportunity for students to participate in a national (and global) academic community. For many incarcerated people, this is a rare chance to share their work, connect with peers across institutions, and see themselves as part of something larger than their immediate environment.
ISC fosters connection, reflection, and growth. It helps students understand that higher education in prison is not happening in isolation. It is part of a broader and ongoing effort across the country to support learning, creativity, and academic achievement.
The impact doesn’t end with the conference; it offers students a way to build confidence, expand their thinking, and stay engaged in their academic journey.
The impact of ISC also extends far beyond academic and correctional institutions. It reaches families, loved ones, children, and communities, offering connection, pride, and a sense of possibility that carries into every part of life beyond the classroom or facility. It also plays a vital role in shifting public narratives and perceptions about who incarcerated scholars are and what they contribute.
If you are an educator who teaches in prisons or a corrections staff member, please consider printing off one of the following fact sheets to display and/or share with artists and students who are currently incarcerated, or share with corrections leadership.
The "with contact blanks" fact sheet contains helpful information about the ISC Call for Proposals for people interested in participating. It also includes blank spaces for you (the person planning on posting and/or handing out this fact sheet) to fill in with relevant information for a proxy and corrections contact for those who are submitting a creative work or presentation proposal, with or without the assistance of a proxy.
The other fact sheet contains the same information about the ISC Call for Proposals, but without blank spaces for proxy/corrections contact information. This sheet can be posted or shared to help ensure artists and students have the information they need to submit to ISC, with or without the assistance of a proxy.
The fact sheet for corrections outlines the importance of participation in opportunities such as ISC for incarcerated students to hopefully assist in garnering the necessary support for student involvement.
The Incarcerated Scholars Conference exclusively showcases the artwork and scholarship of people who are currently incarcerated.
Interested in presenting alongside an incarcerated scholar or as a formerly incarcerated person with lived experience? Please consider submitting a proposal for the National Conference on Higher Education in Prison (NCHEP) instead. Details about the upcoming NCHEP in 2026 will be announced in the coming months on this website.
Incarcerated artists interested in submitting creative works for consideration do not need to be affiliated with an educational programs. All artists must submit a signed media release, but do not need to name a proxy or corrections contact unless they would like to be named if selected (to be named, a signed media release, proxy information, and corrections contact information is required).
Incarcerated scholars interested in submitting a presentation proposal need to be a current student or alumni of a higher education in prison program. Because presentations during ISC are delivered live by the scholar, Zoom access is required (see more below under accessibility). Scholars must also name a proxy (who must be affiliated with an educational program at the prison) and a corrections contact in the proposal, even if self-submitting.
We invite students and former students of higher education in prison programs who are currently incarcerated to contribute to our conference by submitting a presentation proposal. Submitted presentation proposals need to fit within one of the presentation tracks (see section below). Selected presentations will be 30 minutes long, followed by a 30-minute Q&A session with the audience.
You (or a proxy) can submit your proposals:
Unfortunately, we cannot accept presentation proposals submitted via mail. Those interested in submitting proposals but who don’t have internet/email access can work with a proxy from an educational program at the facility to submit online or via email OR may want to consider sending a creative submission (which can be sent via mail).
Please note: the instructions for writing a description of the proposed presentation have recently been updated to provide more clarity to prospective presenters. Please be sure to check the updated PDF or online form below before submitting.
Track 1: Reentry Planning and Lifelong Learning
Focus: Educational transitions and post-release opportunities
Presentations may cover:
Track 2: Interdisciplinary Scholarship
Focus: Scholarly work that expands or intersects with but is not limited to carceral education
Presentations may cover:
Track 3: Education as Resistance
Focus: Pedagogy, identity, and systemic change
Presentations may cover:
Track 4: Collaboration and Innovation
Focus: Cross-sector collaboration, digital solutions, and reimagining education delivery
Presentations may cover:
Track 5: Education in Action
Focus: Work-based learning for incarcerated scholars
Presentation may cover:
If you are currently incarcerated, we welcome you to submit creative work to the conference (you do not have to be a current or former student to participate in this portion of the conference).
You (or a proxy) can submit your proposals:
Signed Media Releases are required for ALL Creative Submissions.
Presentation Proposals
Incarcerated scholars interested in presenting must reach out to administration/leadership at their facility as soon as they decide that they will be submitting a proposal. Facility permission will take time, and all scholars must confirm with their respective correctional facility’s Public Information and/or Victim’s Services offices that they have permission to participate in advance and share that confirmation with the Alliance by September 1, 2025. Detailed instructions will be sent to those whose proposals are accepted.
Creative Submissions
Facility permission is not required for creative submissions, but the Alliance does need facility permission to share artist names during the conference. Creative proposals that are accepted but are submitted without a point of contact at the corrections facility will be shared anonymously. Artists interested in being named must reach out to administration/leadership at their facility as soon as they decide that they will be submitting creative work(s). Facility permission will take time, and artists will need to confirm with their respective Public Information and/or Victim’s Services offices that they have permission to participate as a named artist in advance and share that confirmation with the Alliance by September 1, 2025.
ISC presentations will be webinars, and all presenters will be presenting live via Zoom. The webinar Q&A session will be moderated by Alliance staff. Incarcerated presenters will need to be able to use the Zoom platform to join the conference. Unfortunately, the Alliance is unable to accommodate other virtual meeting platforms or arrangements for presenting outside of Zoom.
Note about Zoom access: Scholars do not need individual device access to participate. Zoom sessions can be joined using a shared computer in a prison library, education department, or facility office, depending on what’s available at the site.
This virtual event is free and open to the public. This conference uses Zoom as its videoconferencing platform. Incarcerated presenters will need to be able to use Zoom to present.
Note about Zoom access: Scholars do not need individual device access to participate. Zoom sessions can be joined using a shared computer in a prison library, education department, or facility office, depending on what’s available at the site.
Have additional questions? Our events page has more information about upcoming ISC Q&A sessions. Don't see any more on our events calendar? You can always email us your questions at isc@higheredinprison.org
Zoom access might not be possible - is participation as a presenter still feasible?
People who are currently incarcerated and want to present but have no access to technology on site should consider submitting a creative work instead. Artists selected for ISC do not need to have Zoom access because creative works will not be presented by the artist live during the conference. Additionally, ISC defines creative works very broadly, so there is room to creatively interpret scholarship.
Students, proxies, and corrections contacts should work closely with leadership at the facility to discuss opportunities for Zoom access in cases where technology exists, but may/may not be available for students. Please be honest the submission form about Zoom access, and use the space provided to discuss work in-progress to obtain permissions. Ultimately, selected presentations will need to provide confirmation of facility approval (including Zoom access) to the Alliance by September 1, 2024.
Note about Zoom access: Scholars do not need individual device access to participate. Zoom sessions can be joined using a shared computer in a prison library, education department, or facility office, depending on what’s available at the site.
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Learn more on our ISC Sponsorship page.
