Shape the 2026 conference program

The Conference Planning Committee and the whole ISER team have been hard at work developing initial content for the 2026 Conference Public Service on the Frontier. The program will include opportunities to learn about Alaska's Indigenous context, explore how public service is delivered on the last frontier (from urban to remote), gain insights and tips for time management in a busy public service context, hone supervisory skills among public service staff, and more. 

But the agenda isn't complete yet! There are three ways you can be involved in shaping the conference program: 

1.           Lead a Learning Session
2.           Share your impact through a Lighting Talk
3.           Showcase your work in the Poster Session

Lead a Learning session

We are looking for workshops, panels, and roundtables that equip CUPSO directors and staff with practical strategies for advancing public service work.

Five priority topics have been identified by the conference planning committee (detailed descriptions of each topic are available on the proposal submission page): 

• Communications in an AI World: Strategies and Pitfalls
• Identifying and Leaning Into Inflection Points
• Leadership: What We Know About How We Learn
• Competitive Grant Writing Strategies 
• Project Management for Public Service Organizations

We also invite proposals on other topics of clear relevance to our audience and encourage staff to review submission ideas with your CUPSO liaison (usually your Center/Institute Director or Public Service School Dean) to ensure that content is tailored to the CUPSO network. 

Deadline for Learning Session Proposals: February 20, 2026

Submit Learning Session Proposal

Share your Impact through a Lightning Talk

CUPSO members bring a diverse portfolio of work, and Lightning Talks are a great way to showcase new approaches to research, training, professional development, technical support, and more. That's why this year we will be offering multiple Lightning Talk sessions as breakout options throughout the conference. 

Each Lightning Talk presenter has 8 minutes to introduce a project, idea, or insight—followed by open-space style discussions where attendees can join conversations that sparks their interest. Presenters will “host” these small-group discussions, and participants can move freely between conversations.

Deadline for Lightning Talk Proposals: February 20, 2026

Submit Lightning Talk Proposal

Showcase your work in The poster session

This year's Poster Gallery Walk will be held on the Chester Creek Skywalk — an iconic elevated walkway withe views of Chester Creek and possibly some local wildlife!

We invite attendees to prepare a 24" x 36" poster for display during the conference to highlight your work or research (multiple posters may be submitted). Posters do not have to be academic/research-based in nature; they can cover practical projects/initiatives that members are undertaking. The poster session offers faculty, staff, and students the opportunity to share your work at a conference with a national audience focused on public service. 

If you are interested in participating in the poster session, please email a title and a brief abstract (a paragraph is fine!) along with contact information to Ashley Labosier (labosier@sog.unc.edu)

The deadline for submitting abstracts is March 27, 2026

Scheduled Q&A with posters: Tuesday, May 19th from 12:45 pm - 1:45 pm 

Content for posters showcasing programs/projects: Consider using the reflection categories "What? So What? Now What?" as a structure. No mandatory format is required for the poster. Photos or graphics are helpful in telling your story so include them if you have them! Ensure your poster has a strong title and includes your center/institute/school, university, department, name, and contact information. 

Content for posters showcasing research: You may use a more traditional poster format that includes introduction, methods, results, conclusions, literature cited, and further information. 

Questions?

Feel free to email Ashley Labosier (labosier@sog.unc.edu) with any questions regarding the call for proposals. Ashley is also happy to set up a time to brainstorm or review ideas for any of the proposal types listed above.