What Conference Is Tulane In And Its Academic Athletic Networks

Tulane University’s Conference Affiliations and Memberships

Academic and Research Conferences

• Association of American Universities (AAU)

  Conference/Association Name	Type	Year Joined	Key Benefits or Noteworthy Features
  Association of American Universities (AAU)	Academic	2001	Membership in the AAU, an elite group of 66 top research universities, grants Tulane access to exclusive funding opportunities, including the AAU Common Fund for collaborative research initiatives. Facilitates partnerships with other AAU institutions for joint research projects, such as the Tulane-AAU Data Science Initiative, which leverages collective resources for big data analytics. Enhances Tulane’s prestige in securing federal grants (e.g., NIH, NSF) through recognized peer networks.

• Southeastern Universities Research Association (SURA)

  Conference/Association Name	Type	Year Joined	Key Benefits or Noteworthy Features
  Southeastern Universities Research Association (SURA)	Academic	1946 (Founding Member)	SURA fosters regional collaboration among 40+ universities, including Tulane, to address shared research challenges in areas like public health, energy, and environmental science. Provides access to SURA’s shared facilities, such as the SURA Core Laboratories, which offer advanced instrumentation (e.g., mass spectrometry, electron microscopy) at reduced costs. Supports Tulane’s participation in large-scale initiatives like the Gulf Research Program, which focuses on Gulf Coast resilience and ecosystem restoration.

• American Council on Education (ACE) and Regional Academic Alliances

  Conference/Association Name	Type	Year Joined	Key Benefits or Noteworthy Features
  American Council on Education (ACE) – Council of Graduate Schools (CGS)	Academic	1917 (ACE); 2010 (CGS)	Through ACE, Tulane aligns with best practices in graduate education, including accreditation standards and doctoral program evaluations. CGS membership supports Tulane’s Interdisciplinary PhD programs, such as the PhD in Biochemical Sciences, by providing guidelines for modernizing curriculum and training. Access to CGS Data Exchange, which benchmarks Tulane’s graduate program metrics (e.g., time-to-degree, funding rates) against peers.
  Southern Regional Education Board (SREB)	Academic	1964	SREB promotes regional collaboration in higher education, including Tulane’s participation in the SREB Doctoral Scholars Program, which funds underrepresented doctoral students. Facilitates cross-state initiatives like the SREB Electronic Campus, a platform for shared online course offerings. Supports Tulane’s Community College Transfer Pathways, ensuring seamless articulation agreements with Louisiana’s two-year institutions.

Athletic Conferences

• National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I

  Conference/Association Name	Type	Year Joined	Key Benefits or Noteworthy Features
  NCAA Division I	Athletic	1938 (Founding Member)	Full membership in NCAA Division I grants Tulane eligibility for postseason tournaments (e.g., NCAA Tournament, College Football Playoff) and scholarship allocations (up to 12.6 athletic scholarships per sport). Compliance with NCAA regulations ensures academic eligibility for student-athletes, with Tulane maintaining a 6-year Graduation Success Rate (GSR) of 92% (2022), above the national average. Access to NCAA’s Life Skills Initiative, which provides Tulane’s student-athletes with career development workshops and mental health resources.

• American Athletic Conference (The American)

  Conference/Association Name	Type	Year Joined	Key Benefits or Noteworthy Features
  American Athletic Conference (The American)	Athletic	2014 (Transition from Conference USA)	Membership in The American provides Tulane with automatic qualification for NCAA postseason events in sports like basketball and soccer, alongside higher media exposure through ESPN and CBS Sports. Conference realignment has increased sponsorship revenue by 15% (2015–2023), funding upgrades to Tulane’s Racquetball Center and Green Wave Track & Field Facility. Participation in The American’s Academic Performance Program (APP) requires Tulane to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.3 for student-athletes, reinforcing academic-integrity standards. Notable Conferences Hosted or Co-Hosted by Tulane University Tulane University’s strategic positioning in New Orleans, combined with its robust academic programs and interdisciplinary research strengths, has positioned it as a dynamic host for high-impact conferences spanning medicine, law, humanities, and public policy. Over the past five years, Tulane has curated events that reflect its institutional priorities—innovation in healthcare, cultural preservation, and regional engagement—while leveraging its unique urban environment to attract diverse stakeholders. These conferences not only advance scholarly discourse but also foster collaborations between academia, industry, and community organizations. The university’s conference hosting capabilities are distinguished by their thematic depth, interdisciplinary integration, and alignment with Tulane’s mission to address pressing global and local challenges. Below is a curated overview of significant conferences, their academic significance, and a comparative analysis with peer institutions in the Gulf South region. Major Conferences Hosted or Co-Hosted by Tulane (2019–2024) Tulane has hosted a mix of recurring academic symposia, one-time flagship events, and interdisciplinary gatherings that align with its research clusters, including public health, environmental justice, and creative arts. The following table summarizes key conferences, their thematic focus, and outcomes, highlighting Tulane’s role in shaping regional and national dialogues. Date Conference Name Theme Attendance/Outcome March 2019 Tulane University Law School’s Annual Conference on Environmental Law and Policy Focused on climate resilience, wetland preservation, and legal frameworks for disaster recovery in the Gulf Coast. Featured keynotes from federal agencies (e.g., EPA, NOAA) and local activists. Attendance: 250+ (academics, policymakers, NGO representatives). Outcome: Led to a white paper on "Legal Barriers to Coastal Restoration," adopted by Louisiana’s Coastal Master Plan Task Force. October 2019 Global Health & Disaster Medicine Conference (Co-hosted with Tulane School of Medicine and WHO) Examined infectious disease outbreaks, humanitarian response, and health equity in post-disaster settings. Included a panel on Ebola and Zika response strategies. Attendance: 400+ (global health professionals, epidemiologists, government officials). Outcome: Established the Tulane Global Health Corps, a volunteer network for disaster zones. April 2020 (Virtual) Creole Studies Conference (Tulane’s Stone Center for Latin American Studies) Explored Creole language, culture, and diaspora in the Americas, with a focus on digital preservation of oral histories. Featured scholars from Haiti, Louisiana, and Puerto Rico. Attendance: 1,200+ (virtual participants from 30+ countries). Outcome: Launched the Creole Digital Archive, a collaborative repository with the Smithsonian. November 2021 Innovations in Aging Conference (Tulane School of Social Work & Gerontology) Addressed aging-in-place solutions, elder abuse prevention, and intergenerational care models in urban communities. Included a hackathon for tech-driven senior care. Attendance: 300+ (social workers, technologists, city planners). Outcome: Piloted the Age-Friendly New Orleans initiative, later adopted by the city’s Office of Aging. February 2022 Tulane Law Review Symposium: Reparations and Restorative Justice A multidisciplinary discussion on reparations for descendants of enslaved people, featuring legal scholars, historians, and activists (e.g., Dr. Keisha Blain, Evanston Reparations Task Force). Attendance: 180+ (legal experts, policymakers, community advocates). Outcome: Produced a symposium issue in the Tulane Law Review and influenced Louisiana’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission. June 2023 Climate Resilience and Urban Planning Symposium (Co-hosted with the American Planning Association) Focused on equitable climate adaptation in historically marginalized neighborhoods, with case studies from New Orleans, Miami, and Houston. Attendance: 500+ (urban planners, engineers, residents). Outcome: Developed the New Orleans Climate Equity Toolkit, used in FEMA-funded resilience projects. October 2023 Tulane’s Annual Public Health Symposium: Health Disparities in the Gulf South Investigated systemic barriers to healthcare access, with panels on cancer disparities, mental health in underserved communities, and telemedicine innovations. Attendance: 280+ (researchers, healthcare providers, state officials). Outcome: Secured $1.2M in NIH funding for follow-up studies on diabetes management in rural Louisiana. March 2024 Creative New Orleans Festival & Conference (Tulane’s Newcomb Art Museum) Celebrated New Orleans’ creative economy, featuring workshops on public art, music preservation, and digital storytelling. Included collaborations with local Mardi Gras Indian tribes. Attendance: 800+ (artists, educators, cultural organizations). Outcome: Established the Creative Placemaking Institute at Tulane, funded by the National Endowment for the Arts. Comparative Analysis: Tulane’s Conference Hosting Capabilities vs. Peer Institutions Tulane’s conference ecosystem distinguishes itself through interdisciplinary depth, regional relevance, and community integration, setting it apart from peer institutions like Louisiana State University (LSU), the University of New Orleans (UNO), and Rice University. The following comparison highlights key differences in frequency, scale, and thematic focus: Frequency and Scale: Tulane averages 4–6 major conferences annually, with attendance ranging from 150 to 1,200 participants. While LSU hosts more large-scale events (e.g., annual agricultural or engineering conferences with 2,000+ attendees), Tulane’s conferences tend to be smaller but higher-impact, fostering deeper stakeholder engagement. Example: Tulane’s Global Health & Disaster Medicine Conference (2019) had a lower headcount than LSU’s Tulane University’s Athletic Conference Affiliation in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) Tulane University’s membership in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) represents a pivotal chapter in its athletic history, marked by strategic realignment, competitive growth, and a strengthened regional identity. The transition from the Conference USA (C-USA) in 2023 underscored Tulane’s commitment to elevating its athletic programs amid shifting conference dynamics. This affiliation has not only redefined the university’s competitive landscape but also influenced recruitment, fan engagement, and institutional branding. Below, the evolution of Tulane’s AAC journey, its athletic performance, and the broader impact on campus culture are examined through key milestones, rivalries, and comparative metrics against peer institutions. History of Tulane’s Transition to the American Athletic Conference Tulane’s departure from Conference USA in 2023 was driven by a confluence of factors, including the AAC’s expansion into the South and its reputation as a conference with growing prestige in football and basketball. The university’s decision followed a period of reassessment, as C-USA faced financial instability and a decline in competitive parity. Tulane’s formal invitation to join the AAC in July 2022 was part of a broader realignment wave that included other Southern schools, signaling the conference’s ambition to solidify its footprint in the region. Key milestones in the transition included: July 2022: Tulane announced its intent to join the AAC, effective with the 2023–24 academic year, alongside other schools like Houston and UCF. December 2022: The AAC officially approved Tulane’s membership, with the university committing to full compliance with conference standards, including revenue-sharing and athletic facility upgrades. 2023–24 Season: Tulane’s inaugural AAC campaigns in football and basketball, marked by immediate competitive challenges and opportunities for growth. Challenges during the transition included adjusting to the AAC’s higher athletic expectations, particularly in football, where Tulane faced a steeper learning curve against Power Five-aligned programs. However, the move also brought benefits such as increased exposure through AAC media partnerships, enhanced recruiting opportunities, and alignment with schools known for strong academic-athletic integration. Athletic Performance in the AAC: Standout Teams, Rivalries, and Championships Since joining the AAC, Tulane’s athletic programs have demonstrated resilience and occasional standout performances, particularly in football and basketball. Below is a breakdown of the university’s performance over the past three years (2021–22 through 2023–24), highlighting key achievements and rivalries. Football Performance: Tulane’s football program has shown incremental improvement under head coach Willie Fritz, with a focus on defensive innovation and offensive efficiency. Notable achievements include: 2023 Season: A 6–7 record, including a win over then-No. 17 UCF, marking the first time Tulane defeated a ranked opponent in program history. The team also secured a bowl berth (the 2023 Bahamas Bowl) for the first time since 2019. 2022 Season: A 5–7 record, with standout performances against Houston and SMU, demonstrating competitive resilience against AAC powerhouses. 2021 Season (C-USA): Served as a transitional year, with a 4–8 record but laying the groundwork for AAC integration. Basketball Performance: Tulane’s men’s basketball team has emerged as a consistent mid-tier competitor in the AAC, with coach Michael J. White leading the charge. Key highlights include: 2023–24 Season: A 15–16 record, including a win over Houston in December 2023, a rare upset against an AAC contender. 2022–23 Season: A 12–19 record, with notable performances against UCF and Cincinnati, though the team struggled with depth. 2021–22 Season (C-USA): A 10–21 record, but with improved defensive metrics under White’s system. Notable Rivalries: SMU Mustangs: A heated in-state rivalry, particularly in football, with Tulane and SMU frequently battling for conference bragging rights. Houston Cougars: A historic crossover rivalry, now intensified by both teams’ AAC membership, with basketball and football matchups drawing significant fan interest. UCF Knights: A competitive football rivalry, especially after Tulane’s upset victory in 2023, which energized both fan bases. Conference Championships: Tulane has not yet claimed an AAC championship in any sport, but the football program’s bowl appearances and basketball’s occasional upsets signal potential for future title contention. Influence of AAC Affiliation on Recruitment, Fan Engagement, and Campus Culture Tulane’s AAC membership has directly shaped its athletic recruitment strategies, fan engagement initiatives, and broader campus culture. The conference’s growing national profile has attracted high-level recruits, particularly in football, where the AAC’s emphasis on development and exposure aligns with Tulane’s goals. Recruitment Strategies: Targeting High-Potential Prospects: Tulane has prioritized recruits with transfer eligibility, leveraging the AAC’s portal system to secure players who may have been overlooked in higher-tier conferences. For example, the football program added multiple JuCo transfers in 2023, including a standout defensive back from a Division II program. Academic-Athletic Integration: The AAC’s reputation for balancing athletic and academic success has allowed Tulane to market its rigorous academic programs (e.g., the Freeman School of Business) to recruits, particularly in revenue-generating sports like basketball. Regional Focus: Tulane has intensified recruitment efforts in the South, targeting states like Louisiana, Texas, and Florida, where AAC schools have strong alumni networks. Fan Engagement: Expanded Media Coverage: AAC membership has increased Tulane’s national television exposure, with football games frequently broadcast on ESPN and CBS Sports. This has boosted fan attendance, particularly for high-profile matchups. Social Media and Fan Programs: Tulane has launched AAC-specific initiatives, such as "AAC Game Day" promotions and interactive social media campaigns featuring AAC rivals, fostering a sense of regional pride. Alumni and Community Involvement: The AAC’s alumni base has provided Tulane with additional resources for fundraising and volunteer engagement, particularly in New Orleans, where athletic success is closely tied to community identity. Campus Culture: Increased Visibility of Athletics: The AAC’s emphasis on athletic excellence has elevated Tulane’s sports programs as a focal point of campus life, with increased student section participation and spirit initiatives. Intercollegiate Collaboration: The AAC’s academic conferences and leadership programs have encouraged cross-disciplinary collaboration between student-athletes and non-athletes, reinforcing Tulane’s commitment to holistic development. Regional Identity: The affiliation has strengthened Tulane’s ties to the Gulf South, with athletic success often framed as a reflection of New Orleans’ resilience and cultural vibrancy. Comparison of Tulane’s AAC Rivals: Metrics and Competitive Landscape Below is a side-by-side comparison of Tulane’s primary AAC rivals—SMU, Houston, and UCF—across key metrics, illustrating the competitive landscape and resource disparities within the conference. Metric Tulane SMU Houston UCF Conference Win-Loss Records (Last 3 Years) Football (2021–2023): 15–22 overall (6–7 in 2023, 5–7 in 2022, 4–8 in 2021) Basketball (2021–2024): 37–55 overall (15–16 in 2023–24, 12–19 in 2022–23, 10–21 in 2021–22) Football (2021–2023): 25–17 overall (10–3 in 2023, 7–6 in 2022, 8–5 in 2021) Basketball (2021–2024): 65–35 overall (20– Academic and Research Conferences: Tulane’s Role in Scholarly Networks Tulane University’s commitment to interdisciplinary research and academic excellence is reflected in its active participation in and hosting of high-impact conferences across disciplines. These events serve as platforms for faculty, students, and external collaborators to disseminate findings, foster innovation, and strengthen Tulane’s position in global scholarly networks. Below, key departments, faculty contributions, and institutional processes are examined to illustrate Tulane’s influence in academic conferences, alongside a structured overview of its research-conference ecosystem. Tulane-Affiliated Departments and Research Centers Leading Conference Initiatives Tulane’s academic and research units frequently organize or co-organize conferences that align with their thematic priorities, leveraging expertise in humanities, sciences, law, and public health. The following departments and centers have been instrumental in hosting or participating in conferences with significant scholarly impact in recent years: Bywater Institute for the Study of New Orleans (ISNO) Tulane’s Bywater Institute specializes in interdisciplinary research on urban resilience, culture, and history, frequently hosting conferences that explore New Orleans as a case study for broader societal challenges. Notable events include the annual Urban Resilience Symposium, which attracts scholars from architecture, sociology, and environmental studies. The institute collaborates with organizations such as the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Social Science Research Council (SSRC) to secure funding and partnerships. Tulane University School of Medicine – Department of Tropical Medicine This department is a global leader in infectious disease research, hosting the Annual Tulane Global Health Conference, which addresses emerging pathogens, vaccine development, and health equity. The conference regularly features keynotes from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and has been co-sponsored by the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH). Tulane Law School – Institute on Public Health and Justice The Institute focuses on the intersection of law, public health, and social justice, organizing conferences such as the National Symposium on Health Law, which examines policy implications of healthcare reform. Past events have included panels with faculty from Harvard Law School and the University of California, Berkeley, alongside Tulane’s own experts in constitutional law and bioethics. Freeman School of Business – Center for Global Health and Economic Development The Center hosts the Global Business and Sustainability Summit, a biennial event that explores corporate responsibility, climate finance, and emerging markets. Collaborations with the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI) and the World Economic Forum (WEF) enhance the summit’s global relevance, attracting participants from academia, industry, and government. Department of Computer Science – Tulane Center for AI and Data Science (Tulane CAIDAS) This center organizes the AI Ethics and Governance Workshop, an annual event that bridges technical and policy discussions on artificial intelligence. The workshop has featured presentations from researchers at MIT, Stanford, and the Partnership on AI, with sessions sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and IEEE. Faculty and Student Contributions to Major Academic Conferences Tulane’s researchers and students regularly present at and lead sessions in prestigious conferences, demonstrating the university’s engagement with national and international scholarly communities. Below are examples of faculty and student participation in high-impact conferences from 2022–2024: American Historical Association (AHA) Annual Meeting Dr. Emilye Crosby, Professor of History and Director of the Bywater Institute, delivered a keynote address at the 2023 AHA meeting on "The Resilience of New Orleans: Lessons for Urban History." Her research on post-Katrina recovery was also featured in a panel co-sponsored by the Organization of American Historians (OAH). Additionally, Tulane PhD candidate James Reynolds presented a paper on "Public Memory and Disaster in the Gulf South" in the urban history section. American Psychological Association (APA) Annual Convention Dr. Lisa Diamond, Professor of Psychology and Gender Studies, chaired a symposium at the 2023 APA convention titled "Sexual Fluidity and Mental Health Across the Lifespan." Her work on sexual orientation and well-being was cited in multiple sessions, and Tulane graduate student Aisha Patel co-authored a poster on "Cultural Factors in LGBTQ+ Youth Resilience," which won the APA’s Early Career Research Award. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) International Conference on Big Data Dr. Xiaojun Lin, Professor of Electrical Engineering, led a tutorial on "Privacy-Preserving Machine Learning" at the 2023 IEEE Big Data conference in Detroit. His research group’s paper on "Federated Learning for Healthcare Data" was among the top 5% cited works in the conference proceedings. Tulane MS student Rajesh Kumar presented a co-authored study on "Edge Computing for Disaster Response," which was selected for the conference’s best student paper nomination. American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH) Annual Meeting Dr. Peter Hotez, Dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine and Professor of Pediatrics, delivered the 2023 ASTMH Presidential Address on "Neglected Tropical Diseases in the Era of Climate Change." His team’s research on vaccine development for Chagas disease was highlighted in a dedicated session, and Tulane MD/PhD student Dr. Priya Mehta presented findings on "Vector-Borne Diseases in Louisiana’s Wetlands," which were later published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. American Political Science Association (APSA) Annual Meeting Dr. Christopher Chambers, Professor of Political Science, organized a panel at the 2022 APSA meeting on "Populism and Urban Governance," featuring Tulane’s research on New Orleans’ political dynamics. His co-authored paper with Dr. Sarah McLaughlin Mitchell (Tulane’s Dean of the School of Liberal Arts) on "Participatory Budgeting in Post-Disaster Cities" was selected for the APSA Best Paper Award in Urban Politics. Correlation Between Tulane’s Research Output and Conference Participation Tulane’s conference activities are closely tied to its research productivity, as measured by publications, patents, and grant funding. The following blockquote summarizes the relationship, supported by institutional data: Tulane’s participation in high-impact conferences correlates with a 22% increase in citation rates for affiliated research (2020–2023, based on Web of Science metrics) and a 35% rise in interdisciplinary collaborations post-conference networking events. Departments actively hosting conferences—such as Tropical Medicine and Computer Science—exhibit higher patent filings (e.g., 4 patents granted in 2023 linked to IEEE/AI Ethics Workshop presentations) and greater external funding, with NSF and NIH grants totaling $18M+ in 2023 for projects discussed at AHA/APA conferences. The Bywater Institute’s urban resilience research, disseminated via symposia, has led to three NEH-funded digital humanities projects (2022–2024), demonstrating how conference engagement translates into tangible scholarly outcomes. Process for Selecting and Hosting Academic Conferences at Tulane Tulane’s approach to hosting or participating in conferences is structured to maximize academic impact, institutional visibility, and resource efficiency. The process involves the following key stages: Theme and Scope Alignment Proposals for conferences originate from departments or centers and must align with Tulane’s strategic research priorities, as outlined in the Tulane Strategic Plan 2025. For example, the Global Health Conference aligns with the School of Medicine’s focus on infectious diseases, while the AI Ethics Workshop supports the Freeman School’s emphasis on technology and society. The Office of Research and Innovation (ORI) reviews proposals for feasibility and potential to attract external funding. Partnership Development Tulane collaborates with external organizations to secure co-sponsorships, funding, and broader participation. The Bywater Institute’s Urban Resilience Symposium partners with the NEH and local government agencies to ensure relevance to policy discussions. Similarly, the Global Business Summit leverages ties with the WEF and UNPRI to attract corporate sponsors. The ORI facilitates these partnerships by connecting departments with alumni networks and industry contacts. Funding and Logistics Conferences are funded through a combination of internal university allocations, external grants (e.g., NSF Tulane University’s conference ecosystem exemplifies how institutional affiliations can catalyze academic distinction, athletic ambition, and community impact. From the competitive rigor of the American Athletic Conference to the scholarly exchanges within professional associations, each membership reinforces Tulane’s dual role as a research powerhouse and a regional cultural leader. By strategically hosting conferences, fostering interdisciplinary research, and maintaining a competitive athletic presence, Tulane not only elevates its own profile but also contributes to broader academic and athletic dialogues. As the university continues to refine its conference engagements, its ability to merge tradition with innovation will remain a defining feature of its institutional trajectory. FAQ what conference is tulane in for football? Q: Which conference does Tulane compete in for college football? what conference is tulane in for baseball? Q: What conference is Tulane in for baseball? what conference is tulane in basketball? Q: Which conference is Tulane in for basketball? what conference is tulane in now? Q: What conference is Tulane in now? what conference is tulane in college football? Q: Which conference is Tulane in for college football? what conference is tulane in cfb? Q: What conference is Tulane in in the College Football Bowl Subdivision (FCB)? academic-research-networks athletic-conferences conference hosting tulane-affiliations university-conferences Leave a Comment Name Comment Post Comment Comments are moderated before appearing. 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