Cripping Conferences: An Autoethnographic Exploration of Disability in Academia

Abstract

This paper employs autoethnography to expose the conference experiences of disabled scholars within the academic and library fields, highlighting the systemic barriers found in these professional settings. In integrating personal narratives with theoretical insights, this study highlights how rigid conference spaces and norms do not accommodate disabled bodyminds, which hinders professional development.

Keywords

• academia
• autoethnography
• chronic illness
• conferences
• crip time
• physical disability
• professional development