The 2016 Annual Meetings of the Association for Humanist Sociology
Elevating Humanity: Pathways to Progressivism
Denver, Colorado
November 2-6, 2016
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Denver Tech Center
Conference Theme and Call for Participation
A more progressive society: what would it look like and how do we get there from here? What are the obstacles and impediments and how can they be overcome? As there are often many paths to the top of a mountain, so too are there many ways to achieve a more humanistic world. However, unlike hikers preparing to ascend a Colorado peak, we cannot depend on a trail map to rise above the rugged and contested terrain of inequality and injustice. Instead, we must collaborate, share our knowledge and experiences, and inspire each other to learn and do more.
In support of this effort, the Association of Humanist Sociology (AHS) invites you to organize a session or submit an abstract for a paper presentation. We welcome proposals that enhance understanding of social issues and problems, but with focus or emphasis upon alternative strategies, movements, organizations, and collective efforts that strive to bring about humanistic solutions and progressive change.
The Denver area offers not only breath-taking views of the Rocky Mountains, but is an ideal location in which to gather and confront pressing and timely social issues. Many of these issues pose serious problems for Denver and the state of Colorado as well as all of humanity. These include income and wealth polarization, environmental crises, racism, xenophobia, heterosexism, anti-immigrant sentiment, and a biased criminal justice system, to name merely a few.
However, we should be encouraged by the fact that Denver has received much attention in recent years, less for its problems, and more for its ability and willingness to confront and solve them, even amidst significant opposition. Politically active and organized residents in Denver and across the state of Colorado have achieved victories in political battles that would have seemed unlikely or even impossible to win, as evidenced, for example, by the state’s legalization of medical and recreational marijuana
This energy has not been confined to Colorado. For instance, growth and momentum has recently occurred in the Black Lives Matter, women’s rights, and gay rights movements in the United States. Globally, organizations and activists are gaining ground solving a wide range of problems and nations are uniting to address increasingly urgent threats to our planet, such as climate change and nuclear arms proliferation.
Please join us in the “Mile High City” as we discuss successes and challenges and as we aspire to “blaze new trails” leading to peace, justice, equality, and greater life chances for all.
Paper and Presentation Formats
The Association for Humanist Sociology is a community of sociologists, educators, scholars, and activists who share a commitment to using sociology to promote peace, equality, and social justice. Remaining true to the mission of AHS, we seek papers about any social issue that impedes progress toward a more peaceful and socially just world. However, we especially encourage the presentation of papers that describe, explain, or propose solutions to problems. Examples of topics include, but need not be limited to, descriptions of progress made by global political movements, examples of successful action within states or communities, alternative forms or models of social/economic/cultural organization, and descriptions of service learning or other transformative pedagogies used in teaching and learning.
We encourage following types of submissions for sessions and presentations:

• Paper presentations (15-20 minute presentations, 3-4 speakers per session)
• Critical dialogues (5-8 minute presentations, 4-8 panelists per session)
• Panel sessions and Author-Meets-Critics sessions (3-4 panelists per session)
• Workshops and Film Screenings
• Poster presentations

Please visit the Association for Humanist Sociology Website to propose sessions and complete abstracts for papers or sessions related to the conference theme or to the AHS mission of equality and social justice: www.humanist-sociology.org
Advertising in the Conference Program
We are accepting advertisements to be included in our 2016 conference program.  If you wish to advertise your new book, an upcoming conference, or your graduate program, please contact AHSDenver2016@gmail.com.  Half-page ads are $75.00 and full-page ads, $150.00 (in black and white).
Conference Location
The Doubletree by Hilton Hotel and the Denver Tech Center area boasts outstanding views of the front range of the Rocky Mountains, including Pike’s Peak (south), Mount Evans (west) and Long’s Peak (north). In proximity to the hotel are the “Village Shops at Landmark,” with several nightclubs, restaurants, movie theatres, and other shopping and entertainment attractions.
Light rail transportation provides access from the hotel to many interesting stops, including Union Station in the lower downtown Denver area. From Union Station, walk or use free bus service to explore the 16^th Street (pedestrian) Mall area, with its countless stores, restaurants, coffee houses, brewpubs, museums, and many other attractions. A new light rail line to and from the hotel and Denver International Airport is scheduled for completion in time to be used by conference attendees.
To Receive Conference Updates and Further Information

• Check the AHS website: humanist-sociology.org
• Follow AHS on Twitter: #AHSDenver2016
• Like AHS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumanistSociology/

To learn more about Humanist Sociology, read our journal, Humanity and Society http://has.sagepub.com.