About the Computers & Writing Conference

In Networks of Outrage and Hope, Castells (2015) suggests that in an information age shaped by endless digital iterations of images and words, "the fundamental power struggle is the battle for the construction of meaning in the minds of the people" (5).  Over the past two years, as a pandemic raged and vaccine controversy peaked, as the state continued to target Black people with impunity, as a coup took place in the U.S. Capitol, and as income inequity shot into space (literally), we witnessed - often through quarantine-safe computer screens - a series of crisis points in the war over meaning that Castells describes.  Such moments require us to be hyper-engaged in the diverse and often disconnected flows of information that move across digital spaces, always questioning which stories, essays, tweets, images, and videos tell us what is happening and which are aimed at misdirection. The digital and networked spaces that increasingly mediate so much of our daily lives have also become the spaces where acts of resistance begin or gain rhetorical velocity (Ridolfo & DeVoss). To that end, we invite scholars to join us in practicing, exploring, and engaging with the many behaviors that we have come to call Digital Activisms.

The Computers and Writing (C&W) community has often developed projects that practice digital activism and advocacy. These practices have evolved quickly in recent months, becoming central to political and social life around the world. Political candidates now use social media to mobilize supporters and to control the messages around their campaigns and administrations, often moving their own agendas over and above what journalists can fact-check and analyze for readers. Similarly, and often in response to these powerful political messages, hashtag activism and digital pushes for social justice have become key tools citizens use to be more engaged in the social and political projects that shape their lives and communities. Further, social distancing means that digital communication over the past months has been an increasingly accessible and necessary means of engaging with the world.  While some critiques from "influencers" and scholars alike have lobbed accusations of "armchair activism" at such initiatives, digital rhetoricians are aware that this work represents yet another way that a broad cross-section of the global population engages with issues of personal and public concern.

Registration Costs

At this point, the in-person portion of the 2022 Computers and Writing Conference has ended, but virtual registration is still on-going for additional participants to continue to have access to all the virtual panels through links in the digital program.  The digital program link will be provided to additional participants within the confirmation email after registering. Payment is due at the time of registration. Keep in mind that some in-person sessions also uploaded materials, but not all did.  If you do not see materials in the program linked folders from the virtual program, then you can assume those sessions were either canceled at the last minute or were in-person events that included no additional materials for virtual attendees. All registrants will have access to the asynchronous virtual presentations for up to one month after the conference.

The conference keynote and awards banquet were livestreamed and those videos will be available to watch after June 1, at which point we will include links in the virtual program for how to view the recorded sessions.

Virtual Standard Registration
TT Faculty & Full Time Administrators | $125.00

Virtual Reduced Cost Registration
Contingent Faculty, K-12/Two-Year College Teachers, & Students | $80.00

*Note: Virtual Registrations will continue through June 15, 2022

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Course Resources
Official CW2022 Conference Website

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