We, the SIGDOC Executive Committee, provide two affirmations regarding our decision to bring SIGDOC ’23 to Orlando, FL.
1 First, we affirm that SIGDOC leadership acknowledges the precarious positions of our Florida colleagues teaching in higher education. We stand by them in solidarity. The conference will be held at the Embassy Suites in downtown Orlando, so presentations are not affected by state policies that target Florida educators’ free speech in the classroom. We are hoping to use our off-campus conference as a space for educators in Florida—as well as educators in other states facing anti-free speech pressures—to share their research, connect with colleagues, and work together in solidarity.
2 Second, we affirm that SIGDOC has complete trust in our conference leadership team and their localized knowledge to ensure the logistics of the event are safe, accessible, and affirming. Orlando itself is a diverse, welcoming city and a site of considerable resistance and allyship. As in the past, we will be working with local organizations to forward design for positive change.
Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
-SIGDOC EC