Attention all Narnia Fans and C.S. Lewis scholars! Even after decades of scholarship, commentary, and cultural conversation, C.S. Lewis remains far from exhausted. In fact, one of the most striking things about Lewis is how often we discover that what we thought was settled… isn’t. New historical context reframes old assumptions. Lesser-known essays surface. Familiar works invite fresh readings when viewed through a different lens or a changing world. Lewis himself warned against believing we had fully “arrived” at understandin g any great writer and he would almost certainly include himself in that caution.
That spirit is at the heart of George Fox University’s 2026 Undiscovered C.S. Lewis Conference, taking place September 24–27, 2026, in Newberg, Oregon. Building on the momentum of its inaugural gathering, the conference invites scholars, independent researchers, and emerging voices to explore what remains hidden, overlooked, contested, or newly relevant in Lewis’s life, work, and intellectual legacy. With an intentionally wide range of disciplines and an emphasis on scholarship that is both rigorous and accessible, the conference reflects something Lewis himself modeled so well: serious thought offered generously to a broad audience. This is the largest C.S. Lewis Conference in the world.
Below is the official Call for Papers from George Fox University:
CALL FOR PAPERS – 2026 Undiscovered C.S. Lewis Conference
George Fox University | Newberg, Oregon | September 24–27, 2026
C.S. Lewis is one of the most influential voices of the 20th century, yet vast areas of his thought and legacy remain unexplored. Building on the extraordinary momentum of our inaugural gathering, George Fox University is hosting the 2026 Undiscovered C.S. Lewis Conference. This event will convene the world’s leading scholars and the next generation of thinkers for four days of cutting-edge research and imaginative engagement.
Scholars are invited to submit anonymous proposals of 300 to 500 words by March 31, 2026. Proposals should be for 20-minute papers in one of the six categories of our general theme “the undiscovered C.S. Lewis”:
- historical studies that set Lewis in his own time,
- reassessments that question, contest, reaffirm, or clarify interpretations of his work or biography,
- comparative studies on Lewis and other thinkers and writers,
- [re]assessments of Lewis’s work in light of contemporary situations,
- explorations of his lesser-known material, and
- presentations of previously unpublished material by Lewis.
Acceptable submissions include but are not limited to the following disciplines: history, biography, literature, philosophy, theology, apologetics, ethics, political science, natural sciences, cultural studies, and rhetoric.
Proposals not specifically focused on Lewis but advancing scholarship on other Inklings or related writers are also welcome.
As a public-facing academic conference, we invite papers that are scholarly but accessible to a wider public audience. Submissions are welcome from scholars at every career stage, and limited scholarships (free conference registrations) are available for students or independent scholars with accepted papers.
Email submissions for peer-review consideration to undiscoveredlewis@georgefox.edu by March 31, 2026. Please anonymize your submission. Questions or inquiries prior to submission regarding the suitability of proposals may be directed to Dr. Jason Lepojärvi, jlepojarvi@georgefox.edu.
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