The Space Between Society welcomes you to the 2025 Space Between Conference: “Peace and Conflict in the Space Between.” Please read below for information on our conference. This page will continually be updated as we get closer to the conference, with more information on registration, featured keynote speakers and workshop events, housing, conference grants, and travel. Please check back for more again, soon! 

Location:

This year’s Space Between Conference, “Peace and Conflict in the Space Between,” will be held May 28-30 at the University of Kansas (KU) in Lawrence, KS.

While schedules are not finalized, we anticipate workshops and the first of two keynotes on Wednesday afternoon, and all-day panels and events on Thursday and Friday. (Please note the Wednesday-Friday schedule, which is a modification from the usual Thursday-Saturday schedule.) Lunch will be provided Thursday and Friday and there will be social events Wednesday and Thursday evenings, details forthcoming.

Behind-the-scenes Tour: The National World War I Museum and Memorial is in Kansas City, just down the road from us in Lawrence. It contains the world’s most comprehensive WWI collection. The curators have offered a behind-the-scenes tour of the collections, exhibits, and archives to Space Between conference attendees on Tuesday, May 27 (the day before the conference officially begins). The tour is free but you do need to sign up. Please check the box on the registration form if you’d like to attend.

Additional Information: 

Getting here: We recommend travel to the Kansas City International Airport (MCI), which is approximately 40 minutes by taxi, Uber, or Lyft to Lawrence. Typically, all those are easily available from the airport. Note that Kansas City spans the state line between Kansas and Missouri; MCI Airport is on the Missouri side. 

Accommodations: Conference attendees have two options for lodging. We have reserved a block of rooms at the Oread Hotel, which is the only on-campus hotel. Lawrence is quite hilly and KU’s campus is at the top of one of those hills. If walking up steep inclines is a challenge, The Oread Hotel is recommended. The rate for attendees is $159/night, including parking and breakfast. The Oread offers flexible payment and refund options. This room block will be reserved until April 28. 

Make a reservation at the Oread

We have also reserved a block of dorm rooms in the Stouffer Place Apartment building. This building offers suite-style accommodations with 4 individual rooms plus a common living area and kitchen. The rate is not yet finalized but will be quite affordable, approximately $65/night including parking and linens. The down-side to this affordability is that payment is required up-front and refunds will likely not be available if you cancel less than 60 days before the event. If payment flexibility is important to you, we recommend reserving at the Oread. 

In order to adjust the size of the room blocks if needed, we have added a question to the registration form asking if you plan to reserve a room in the dorms or the Oread Hotel. (If you plan to share a room with another conference attendee, we request that only one of you check the box.) This isn’t binding but will help us make informed decisions. We appreciate your help! 

Sign up for Dorm Accomodations

 To sign up for a dorm room, complete the 2025 Individual Interest Form by April 15th. Individual invoices will be sent out on May 1st, and they are due no later than May 15th to confirm your space. Refunds are not available. However, for extenuating circumstances, you can submit an appeal. Rooms are $46/night, plus a one-time linens fee of $21. Dorms are apartment style and are shared between 2-4 people. Each bedroom is individual, comes with a full-size bed, and has an en-suite bathroom. Kitchen and living areas are shared. Email spacebetween2025@gmail.com to specify suite-mate preferences (names or genders). 

Parking Information

If you wish to park near the conference venue, the Hall Center for the Humanities, we recommend purchasing a parking pass. Off-street parking is nearby but finding a space can be tricky. You will need to purchase a pass for each day May 28-30 using the links below. Each link will register you to park in yellow zones only, and will cover you the entire day, for $3/day. Please see the map for the yellow zoned parking lot closest to the Hall Center. Note that purchasing a parking pass is only necessary if you need to park near the Hall Center. You do not need to purchase a parking pass if you plan to leave your car at the Oread or the dorms; parking near those buildings is included with your stay. Walking from the Hall Center to the Oread or the dorms is quite easy. 

Day Passes for Parking:
Parking Pass (May 28)
Parking Pass (May 29)
Parking Pass (May 30)

Getting Around:

Getting around on campus: The Oread Hotel is on campus. The estimated walk from the hotel to the conference venue, the Hall Center for the Humanities, is approximately 10 minutes. The dorms are also on campus but a bit further walk to the Hall Center, approximately 15-20 minutes. There is a bus stop near the dorms.

The heart of the University of Kansas is Jayhawk Boulevard, which traverses Mount Oread and provides lovely views of the surrounding area. Campus is pedestrian friendly – there are sidewalks everywhere and it’s very safe – but be prepared for some hilly walks. 

Downtown Lawrence: Rumored to be the biggest tourist attraction in Kansas, Massachusetts Street and the surrounding blocks is a dining and shopping destination. A 10-minute walk will take you from campus to downtown Lawrence, where you will find numerous restaurants, tons of quirky shops, the best bookstore in America, a theater, and several museums. 

Expect more extensive food and entertainment guides as we get closer to the conference.

We look forward to seeing you at the conference! Please reach out to our conference organization email, spacebetween2025@gmail.com, if you have any questions!

Sincerely,

Aimee Wilson (local host), Christina Hauck, Jessica Kim, Lydia Noland, Ann Rea, Luke Seaber, and Mike Williamson

Space Between Society Conference Organizing Committee