Support the 16th Annual Research, Art and Writing (RAW) Conference

Our project is the 16th Annual Research, Art and Writing (RAW) Conference. This interdisciplinary event, which is open to graduate students from UTD and other institutions nationwide, fosters intellectual exchange and collaboration across various fields of study.

This conference, organized by graduate students in the Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology, helps create a space for dynamic discussions that transcend traditional academic boundaries. It also provides a valuable opportunity for graduate students in the Bass School and beyond to share their work, engage with new ideas and build connections within the broader academic community, making each participant feel valued and part of a larger community.

Our fundraising goal is to raise an additional $3,000 to support the 16th Annual RAW Conference. UTD hosts the conference, and it is open to graduate students worldwide, making it an interdisciplinary and inclusive event. Reaching this goal is crucial and your support is integral to planning a successful conference and providing meaningful experiences for all participants. 

The funds raised will be used to cover several key aspects of the 16th Annual RAW conference.

• Producing the conference booklet and merchandise to enhance the professional experience for attendees.
• Procuring catering services to provide meals and refreshments for the one-day event.
• Funding travel support for students coming from institutions outside UTD, ensuring greater participation from a wider academic community.
• Planning logistics, which is essential for both traditional and creative presentations that require additional setup and technical coordination.

If we exceed our fundraising goal, we will be able to invite an additional guest speaker, which will further enrich the event and broaden the academic exchange for everyone involved. 

The 16th Annual Research, Arts and Writing (RAW) Conference, titled “BAIT, PROMPTS and AID: The Power and Poetics of Engagement In Art, Human, History, Technology, Nature and Nurture,” promises to significantly impact students by fostering dialogue across various fields, encouraging collaboration and promoting innovative thinking. This conference will not only strengthen the graduate students’ community at UTD and worldwide, but also provide students with valuable experience in organizing and coordinating a project of this magnitude, inspiring hope for a brighter future. 

Maureen Okwulogu and Maryam Takaloubighash, both accomplished graduate students in the Bass School, are organizing this conference in collaboration with the Arts, Humanities and Technology Association of Graduate Students (AHT AGS). Their dedication and leadership have been instrumental in shaping this event.

RAW 2025 introduces “BAIT, PROMPTS and AID: The Power and Poetics of Engagement in Art, Humanity, History, Technology, Nature and Nurture.” This project explores ‘bait’, ‘prompts’ and ‘aid’ as complementary concepts, offering a unique lens through which to understand the risks and opportunities posed by emerging technologies. These dynamics, particularly regarding the risk of bait in digital media, challenge existing norms and influence how we engage with technology, culture and identity.

Our project examines how bait and aid shape cultural identity, migration, colonial legacies and the preservation of cultural heritage. These concepts go beyond online clickbait and advertising, extending into human and interspecies interactions across history, literature and art, where suspense and curiosity are created through anticipatory expressions. RAW 2025 asks profound questions: What are the qualities of intelligence, whether organic or artificial, when navigating the dialectic of bait, prompt and aid? From digital platforms to analogue environments, this inquiry engages both technology and organisms as powerful communicators.

Through your support, we aim to explore these themes deeply and foster meaningful conversations on the intersection of culture, history and technology.

Email: rawconference@utdallas.edu

Instagram: rawconference@utdallas.edu 

Website: https://rawconference2025.wixstudio.io/baitaid