The St. Bonaventure University English Department is hosting an academic conference on Empathy & Storytelling on Friday, November 20, and Saturday, November 21, 2026.

Conference sessions will begin midday on Friday and end in the late afternoon on Saturday. Keynote presenters Dr. Sophia Cantave (independent scholar) and Dr. Christine Cusick (Seton Hill University) will speak before Friday’s conference dinner and after Saturday’s conference lunch.

The St. Bonaventure University English Department is grateful for conference funding received through attendees’ registration fees and through the generosity of donors.

Follow the link below for secure registration and payment. Please register by Thursday, November 5.

Empathy & Storytelling Conference registration & payment portal

Room blocks at discounted prices are held for Friday and Saturday nights at local hotels. Please mention St. Bonaventure University (SBU) English Department when phoning for reservations, or click on these links provided by the hotels. Rates are per room per night and do not include tax. The last day to book that rate is indicated.

• Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Olean
  3270 West State St., Olean, NY 14760. (Across from campus on NYS Route 417)
  (716) 372-7500
  $135.00, by Tuesday, Nov. 10.
  
  
• Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Olean/Allegany
  3234 NYS Route 417, Olean, NY 14760. (Across from campus on NYS Route 417)
  (716) 584-1823
  $119.00, by Friday, Oct. 30.
  
  
• Best Western Plus University Inn
  3051 NYS Route 417, Olean, NY 14760. (¾ mile east of campus on West State St.)
  (716) 372-1300
  $119.00, by Monday, Oct. 19.
  
  
• Hampton Inn & Suites Olean
  110 Jack Murphy Blvd., Olean, NY 14760. (2 miles away, near I-86 Exit 25, Buffalo Street, Olean)
  (716) 701-6900
  $139.00, by Thursday, Oct. 22.

The conference will be held in Doyle Hall (building #8 on the campus map) in the Conference Center.

View campus map with directions to Doyle Conference Center and parking

Questions about the Empathy & Storytelling Conference? Please contact Lauren Matz at empathy@sbu.edu.