15th Conference on Cuban and Cuban American Studies

Call for Panels and Papers

Deadline for submission of proposals: November 28, 2025.

CUBA: THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW

FIU Modesto A. Maidique Campus

Graham Center Ballrooms

Miami, Florida

February 26-27, 2026

The Cuban Research Institute (CRI) of Florida International University (FIU) continues its tradition of convening scholars and other persons interested in the study of Cuba and Cuban Americans by announcing its Fifteenth Conference, dedicated to the memory of the distinguished Cuban American artist Humberto Calzada. We encourage the submission of panels and papers concentrating on any aspects of the main conference theme, but will consider all submissions relevant to the history, economy, politics, culture, society, and creative expression of Cuba and its diaspora. The conference will be held in person and will not be available online.

The Castro regime is experiencing its most severe crisis since taking power in 1959. Rather than a transitory crisis generated by a single event, as was the case during the “Special Period” of the early 1990’s, the current predicament appears to be much more consequential. Today, the regime is confronting manifold emergencies on several different fronts, from multiple economic breakdown to a collapse of political legitimacy. These compound crises cannot be managed without significant structural reforms, which the regime continues to refuse unambiguously. Unlike previous occasions, there is no foreign partner willing to financially sponsor the regime. One way or another, the long-term survival of the regime in its current form has never appeared more questionable.

Regardless of what could happen tomorrow in Cuba, this is an auspicious time to contemplate what the island should look like the day after. Considering the pervasive nature of the changes brought by the Castro regime, a regime transition would offer a unique opportunity to re-found the Cuban nation. The Fifteenth Conference of Cuban and Cuban Americans is the ideal vehicle to realize this this opportunity.

Panels and papers could address but are not limited to the following topics:

• What type of government should Cubans choose for the day after tomorrow? Republican? Representative or parliamentary democracy? Other?
• What constitution should Cubans adopt in a transition? A provisional return to the 1940 Constitution? A reformed version of the 2019 Constitution?
• How should a new constitution look like? A short, rules-of-the-game one like the U.S. Constitution or a detailed, long-winded one like the 1940 Constitution?
• Should some political parties be banned?
• What economic model should Cuba adopt? A free market? A mixed model?
• What policies should be implemented to arrest the current demographic decline?
• What should be the foreign policy and international projection of a future Cuba?
• What kind of relationship should Cuba develop with the United States?
• What role should the Cuban diaspora play in the reconstruction?
• Should the children of Cubans born abroad be given automatic citizenship?
• Should Cubans residing abroad be allowed to vote in Cuban elections?
• Should Cuba continue to have a permanent military?
• Should foreigners be allowed to own Cuban soil/land?
• Should a future elected government refuse to pay the debts accumulated by the Castro regime?

Guidelines for Submitting Panel and Paper Proposals

We encourage the submission of entire panels rather than individual papers. We will attempt to group individual papers into sessions according to shared themes. Panels should ideally include four paper presenters, a chair, and a discussant. Participants may perform two different roles on a panel (chair, discussant, or paper presenter) but may not present more than one paper. Each presentation will be limited to 20 minutes. Submissions may be in English or Spanish.

Proposals for panels or roundtables must include a general description of the theme and one-page abstracts of each participant’s paper. The following information must be submitted for each panelist:

• Full name
• Institutional affiliation
• Role in the session
• Title of presentation
• Postal address
• Office, cell, and home phone numbers
• Email address

Those wishing to submit proposals for individual papers must present a one-page abstract and all pertinent personal data.

The deadline for submission of all panel and paper proposals is November 28, 2025.

Notifications of acceptance (or refusal) will be sent out by December 19, 2025. For further information about the conference and other CRI activities, please visit our website at https://cri.fiu.edu. All submissions and requests for information should be sent to [email protected]. An acknowledgment of receipt will be sent.

Registration Fees and Other Conference Expenses

Registration fees include two continental breakfasts, coffee breaks, a reception, and all conference materials. Please register online here:

https://15th-CRI-Conference.eventbrite.com

All participants should register under one of the following categories:

• Pre-registration for Speakers and the General Public (before January 30, 2026): $125
• Onsite Registration: $150
• Non-FIU Students: $35
• FIU Students, Faculty, and Staff: free of charge
• The registration fee for persons living in Cuba and journalists: will be waived

No refund will be issued for cancellations received after January 26, 2026, one month before the first day of the event.

Each participant will be responsible for his or her own travel and lodging expenses, as well as the conference registration fee.

Host or Publisher Florida International University Foundation, Inc.