9th Ethnic Studies Youth Conference
PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY, Friday, December 12th, 2025
Call for Youth Presenters
Portland State University's College of Education is proudly hosting our 9th Ethnic Studies Youth Conference. Middle and high school students will be sharing their art, testimonies, and research on the pressing issues of the day, including but not limited to environmental justice, health and healthcare, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, immigrant, migrant, and refugee rights, education, art, youth rights, state violence, economic equity, and white supremacy.
This gathering connects people across age groups, institutions, and geographies. Free of cost for participants, this gathering centers youth voices in a supportive environment.
WHERE: Portland State University, Smith Memorial Student Union
WHEN: Friday, December 12th, 8:30am-3:30pm
WHY: To connect youth, advocates, research, & art
CONFERENCE STRUCTURE:
Participating youth are invited to share art and research presentations of about 10-15 minutes (per group). Panels will be grouped by theme and moderated by educators, scholars, and community leaders. Presentations are followed by supportive discussion / question and answer periods.
Participation is free. Conference Prep Workshops (stand-alone or series) offered at no cost to schools and youth-serving organizations.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE:
1. Middle and high school students who want to share art or research will submit their presentation title and a brief description by November 11th 2025. Teachers and youth group leaders may also submit one form with multiple presenters, titles, and descriptions directly via email.
2. Conference participation forms found here: participation form
3. Reach out directly to conference organizer Gabriel Higuera at [email protected]
MORE INFORMATION:
Contact: Dr. Gabriel Higuera [email protected]
General Schedule:
8:30am- 9:30am - Light Breakfast
9:00am- 9:15am - Welcome
9:30am- 10:10am - Session 1 Critical Issues in Ethnic Studies
10:30am- 11:40pm Session 2 Youth Presentations
(youth presentations will be grouped by theme and will be running simultaneously in designated rooms, with scholars and community leaders as moderators. Presentations for each group should be about 7 to 15 minutes long.)
11:30am- 12:20pm Lunch break
12:20pm-1:30pm Session 3 Youth Presentations
1:40pm- 2:45pm Session 4 Youth Presentations
3:00pm-3:30pm Final Reflections
PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY, Friday, December 12th, 2025
Call for Youth Presenters
Portland State University's College of Education is proudly hosting our 9th Ethnic Studies Youth Conference. Middle and high school students will be sharing their art, testimonies, and research on the pressing issues of the day, including but not limited to environmental justice, health and healthcare, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, immigrant, migrant, and refugee rights, education, art, youth rights, state violence, economic equity, and white supremacy.
This gathering connects people across age groups, institutions, and geographies. Free of cost for participants, this gathering centers youth voices in a supportive environment.
WHERE: Portland State University, Smith Memorial Student Union
WHEN: Friday, December 12th, 8:30am-3:30pm
WHY: To connect youth, advocates, research, & art
CONFERENCE STRUCTURE:
Participating youth are invited to share art and research presentations of about 10-15 minutes (per group). Panels will be grouped by theme and moderated by educators, scholars, and community leaders. Presentations are followed by supportive discussion / question and answer periods.
Participation is free. Conference Prep Workshops (stand-alone or series) offered at no cost to schools and youth-serving organizations.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE:
1. Middle and high school students who want to share art or research will submit their presentation title and a brief description by November 11th 2025. Teachers and youth group leaders may also submit one form with multiple presenters, titles, and descriptions directly via email.
2. Conference participation forms found here: participation form
3. Reach out directly to conference organizer Gabriel Higuera at [email protected]
MORE INFORMATION:
Contact: Dr. Gabriel Higuera [email protected]
General Schedule:
8:30am- 9:30am - Light Breakfast
9:00am- 9:15am - Welcome
9:30am- 10:10am - Session 1 Critical Issues in Ethnic Studies
10:30am- 11:40pm Session 2 Youth Presentations
(youth presentations will be grouped by theme and will be running simultaneously in designated rooms, with scholars and community leaders as moderators. Presentations for each group should be about 7 to 15 minutes long.)
11:30am- 12:20pm Lunch break
12:20pm-1:30pm Session 3 Youth Presentations
1:40pm- 2:45pm Session 4 Youth Presentations
3:00pm-3:30pm Final Reflections