Professional News

2021 Women's Conference Now Accepting Requests for Session Proposals

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 4, 2021) —  The University of Kentucky Women’s Forum is excited to announce the 2021 Women’s Conference, scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 27, at the Gatton Student Center. The theme for the in-person 2021 conference is "Balance: The Art of Creating Space." UK Women's Forum is now accepting requests for session proposals. 

Throughout this past year, chaos and the unknown have consumed our lives. Technology allowed us to connect anytime, anywhere with individuals all over the world. Because of this, we had to learn to facilitate 24/7 collaboration and be "on" all the time.

Although stress levels were high, we found time to focus on things we had forgotten were important. Now, amid the pandemic, we desire to find space for both our old routines and our new normal.

Balance does not always mean stability — sometimes it means learning to be flexible. Things are different, and our path forward is one we are learning to navigate. During this conference we will seek to achieve balance and create space for the many facets of our lives.

Our event will be held over one day and will cost $10 for UK Women’s Forum general members, $15 for full-time UK employees and $25 for external attendees. Registration will open Sept. 13, 2021. 

The Women’s Forum annual conference is an opportunity to build your professional and personal skills, as well as to better inform the community about the Women’s Forum mission, goals and general membership.

Submitting Session Proposals

Proposals are being accepted through Monday, Aug. 30. Submitters will receive notification by Aug. 31 if they have been selected to present at the conference. Only proposals submitted through the link below will be considered. Presentations must not have a commercial message or sales pitch.

Topic suggestions include:

  • ally development;
  • diversity, equity and inclusion;
  • career advancement;
  • salary negotiation;
  • midcareer development;
  • work-life balance;
  • coping mechanisms for anxiety and stress;
  • maintaining positivity, balance and health;
  • change and uncertainty;
  • relaxation and wellness.

Proposals can be submitted here: https://uky.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bsb2kQ5USkewCvc

Submitted session proposals are carefully reviewed by members of the Conference Committee chaired by Sarah Orr. On occasion, the committee may ask submitters to provide additional documentation for further clarification.

For more information, contact Sarah Orr at sarah.alegria@uky.edu or join the UK Women’s Forum mailing list by emailing UKWF@uky.edu.

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.   

In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.