The Poets for Science Gathering invites attendees—poets, scientists, educators, and interdisciplinary practitioners—to submit breakout session proposals for one-hour breakout sessions in a range of formats—readings, panels, presentations, and generative workshops. 

Sessions should be proposed by just one individual (though you may include up to 3 individuals in a session). Due to registration limitations, we cannot accept proposals for panels involving more than 3 individuals. If you plan to include additional participants, please have their commitment to attend in hand before naming them in your application. 

We encourage work that expands the possibilities of science communication through the literary arts or illuminates the scientific imagination through the poetic practice. Participants may be included in up to two panels.

Session proposals will be accepted beginning on February 18, and decisions will be made on a rolling basis.

If your session is accepted, all session participants will receive a full waiver for registration. Please do not register for the gathering until you receive a decision about your panel proposal.

Please include the following with your proposal:

1. Session title

2. The names and short bios of proposed participants (100 words or less per bio)

3. A document that includes a brief description of the proposed session's focus and format as well as technological or space needs. This need not be longer than one page or 500 words. 

For any questions, please contact Wick Poetry Center Senior Academic Program Director, Dr. Jessica Jewell, at jjewell2@kent.edu.

Wick Juniors Summer Camp is for writers entering grades 3 through 12, from 

July 8-July 12, 2026 with a 

registration fee: $375.00*. 

The Wick Juniors Summer Camp is offered in partnership with the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Students entering grades 3 through 12 will experience one day with the Wick Poetry Center teachers at Kent State University, followed by a three-night, four-day stay at the Environmental Education Center (EEC) in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Through guided hikes, outdoor exploration, and more personalized experiences, the young writers will explore how the natural world influences our writing. The experiences are unique to this camp, as the Wick Poetry Center works hand-in hand-with CVNP to combine nature, poetry, and play. A culminating reading will be held on the grounds of the CVNP on Sunday. The registration fee covers all expenses, including meals and lodging during the days spent at the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Additionally, the young writers will receive a t-shirt, notebook, and pencils. To best serve your student, space is limited to 60 campers. A full camp itinerary for 2026 is forthcoming, but you can view last year's itinerary linked below. If you have any questions or concerns, please email: wickjuniors@kent.edu

*Scholarships available. 

This prize is offered annually to a poet who has not previously published a full-length collection of poems. The prize awards the winner with $2,500 and publication of their first full-length book of poetry by the Kent State University Press. The winner and the competition's judge will give a reading together on the Kent State campus. The winning collection will be selected by Camille Dungy.

   ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

• The competition is open to poets writing in English who have not yet published a full-length collection of poems (including self-published collections).
• There is a $27 reading fee.
• Submissions must consist of 50 to 80 pages of poetry, with no more than one poem included on a page. 
• The poet's name or identifying information must not appear on the manuscript. 
• Include one title page with the manuscript title only. List all other contact information in the "cover letter" box of the submissions manager. Entries are judged anonymously. If any identifying information is found in the manuscript, including publication information or identifying dedications or notes, the manuscript will be disqualified.
• Do not include an acknowledgments page. If an acknowledgments page is included in the manuscript, the manuscript will be disqualified. 
• The manuscript may be submitted simultaneously to other publishers, but the poet must notify the Wick Poetry Center immediately if the manuscript is accepted for publication elsewhere.
• A winner will be announced in the fall of 2026