Disrupting Erasure
Collaborative and Transformative Educational Leadership
Disrupting Erasure refers to the active, intentional resistance against the systematic silencing and marginalization of the histories, identities, knowledge, and lived experiences of historically excluded communities. In educational contexts, erasure may manifest through curricular censorship, the dismantling of equity initiatives, suppression of cultural and linguistic identities, and policies that restrict critical discourse.
To disrupt erasure is to refuse these forces through advocacy, transformative pedagogy, coalition building, and the centering of voices and knowledge that dominant systems seek to silence. Educational leaders are not passive observers. We are active disruptors, committed to preparing equity-centered educational leaders and to developing structures and systems of support where all students are seen, valued, and heard.
The CAPEL Fall 2026 Conference will provide members with an opportunity to engage in critical dialogue, collaborative inquiry, and reflective practice on the issues confronting educational leadership. We invite proposals that address the challenges facing educational leaders in disrupting erasure and the obstacles in developing inclusive and just learning environments across P-12 and Higher Education.
Who Should Attend
The CAPEL Fall 2026 Conference welcomes everyone committed to advancing equity and justice in educational leadership across California.
- Faculty from public and private colleges and universities
- P-12 Practitioners and school administrators
- Doctoral and graduate students in educational leadership programs
- Community partners and educational advocates
- Educational leaders committed to equity-centered practice
The CAPEL Conference Experience
The CAPEL Fall 2026 Digital Conference is where educational leaders come to think boldly, connect deeply, and leave differently than they arrived. Expect critical dialogue that challenges assumptions, collaborative inquiry that sparks new directions, and reflective practice that reconnects you to your purpose.
Sessions are offered in four dynamic formats — Critical Conversations, Papers, e-Posters, and Symposiums — designed to meet you where you are and move you forward.
2026 Conference Themes
Technology and Educational Leadership
Examining the role of AI, algorithmic bias, and digital media in shaping knowledge, representation, and educational equity.
Preparing Educational Leaders to Disrupt Erasure
Exploring leadership preparation grounded in critical theory, Ethnic Studies, and culturally sustaining pedagogies.
Leadership for Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Advancing practices that promote justice and challenge systems that marginalize students and communities.
Student Wellness and Safe Learning Environments
Centering trauma-informed practices and strategies that ensure all students feel safe, supported, and valued.
Crisis-Responsive and Community-Centered Leadership
Supporting students and families through responsive, equity-focused leadership during times of crisis and uncertainty.
Call for Proposals
We invite scholars, practitioners, doctoral students, and educational leaders to submit proposals that advance critical dialogue on disrupting erasure in educational leadership across P-12 and higher education.
Proposals should demonstrate relevance to educational leadership, alignment to the conference theme, reference to scholarly literature, and quality writing.
Important Dates
- Proposal Submission Deadline: August 1, 2026
- Decision Notification: September 1, 2026
- Pre-conference: October 15, 2026
- Full-day Virtual Conference: October 16, 2026
