Speed Talk Sessions are designed to accommodate a variety of short presentations, allowing presenters to briefly share key insights, followed by deeper, small-group discussions. The format encourages concise communication of ideas and facilitates in-depth discussions tailored to participants' interests.

Proposal Requirements:

• Abstract (200 words max): Brief introduction and key insights of the presentation.

• Follow-Up Discussion Plan (100 words max): Outline of how the presenter will facilitate the small-group discussion.

• Expected Outcomes (100 words max): Description of anticipated discussion outcomes and participant engagement.

Additional Criteria for Selection:

• Relevance to Conference Themes: Alignment with the main themes of the conference.

• Clarity and Conciseness: Ability to convey key insights effectively within a short time frame.

• Engagement Plan: Clear plan for facilitating an interactive and meaningful follow-up discussion.

Key Benefits:

• Efficient Knowledge Sharing

• Interactive and Flexible

• Broad Participation

Description:

Pre-Organized Panel Talks offer a flexible format combining brief presentations with opportunities for interactive and discursive elements. This format is ideal for pre-organized sessions but allows flexibility in structure, letting proposers design sessions that best suit their topics and goals. Whether you prefer a more traditional panel with Q&A or a mix of presentations and interactive dialogue, this track encourages diverse approaches while maintaining a focus on engagement and collaboration.

Guidelines:

• Presentations: Each panelist is allotted up to 7 minutes for their presentation.
  This ensures that insights remain concise and focused.

• Dialogue and Interaction: Proposers are required to include a plan for dialogue and interaction. This could take the form of Q&A, small-group discussions, interactive dialogue, or other innovative methods that facilitate participant engagement.
  
  

Proposal Requirements:

• Session Overview (up to 600 words): Brief overview of the session’s focus and key insights.

• Paper Abstracts (up to 5 at max 400 words each): Include authors of the abstracts as “co-presenters” of the session (do not include their names in the abstract)

• Ideal Audience (up to 250 words) : Describe the ideal audience types and size, focusing on inclusion and engagement beyond academia.
  

Additional Criteria for Selection:

• Relevance to Conference Themes

• Clarity and Conciseness

• Engagement Plan

• Potential for Synthesis

Key Benefits:

• Flexible Engagement: Proposers can tailor the session format to their content and audience.

• Interactive and Dynamic: Encourages diverse methods of interaction and collaboration.

• Broad Participation: Supports a range of engagement styles to accommodate different preferences.

This session type invites a range of interactive and collaborative formats to foster dynamic participation and deep exploration of themes. Submitters can blend structured presentations with flexible, discussion-based methods, allowing the session to adapt to the needs of the topic and audience. Facilitators may opt for a mix of brief panelist insights, participatory activities, and thematic discussions, which could include approaches like World Café, Fishbowl Conversations, or other dialogue methods.

Proposal Requirements:

• Abstract (200 words max): Briefly introduce the topic, key insights, and the session’s main objectives.

• Session Plan (500 words max): Detail the chosen format, including an outline of any presentations and the interactive dialogue method, specifying how the session will encourage participation, idea synthesis, and exploration.

• Expected Outcomes (250 words max): Describe the anticipated impacts, potential benefits, and contributions to the conference themes.

• Participation (250 words max): Outline the target audience and considerations for inclusivity, engaging participants from diverse backgrounds, including practitioners, policymakers, scholars, and community members.

• Facilitator Details: Provide information about the facilitator(s), their affiliations, and relevant experience in leading interactive sessions.

Selection Criteria:

• Relevance to Conference Themes

• Clarity and Engagement Plan

• Potential for Synthesis and Collaborative Exploration

Key Features:

• Permissive Structure: Encourages submitters to select the best format(s) for their objectives, from structured presentations to fully interactive dialogues.

• Interactive and Adaptable: Supports diverse forms of engagement, from brief insights to participatory activities and discussions.

• Broad Engagement: Designed to include various participant groups, fostering a collaborative environment that bridges scholars and practitioners.

The T-Lab or Transformations Lab offers a flexible and dynamic format to explore transformative practices, policies, or a combination of both. It emphasizes hands-on experiences, interactive methods, and collaborative dialogue to foster significant change and knowledge co-production. Sessions will be up to 1.5 hours long (double allocations for 3hr-sessions can be requested) and can include a variety of formats such as tool demonstrations, working methods, processes, games, exercises, or policy discussions. The goal is to engage practitioners, policy makers, scholars, and community members in a dynamic exchange of ideas and practices.

Proposal Requirements:

• Abstract (200 words): Introduction and explanation of the practice or policy focus and its direct relation to transformations and the conference themes.

• Session Plan (500 words): Detailed plan on how the session will be run, including the structure and methodology for practice demonstration, hands-on activity, and/or policy dialogue.

• Expected Outcomes (250 words): Description of the anticipated impacts and benefits of the session.

• Participation (250 words): Ideal audience types and size (max 30 participants in person), consideration of social inclusion, and engagement beyond scholars, such as practitioners, policy makers, and community members.

• Facilitator Details: Information about who is running the session, their organizations/communities/networks, and their relevant experience.

Additional Criteria for Selection:

• Focus on Practical Actions or Policy Discussions

• Provision of an Experiential or Interactive Component

• Clear Facilitation Plan

• Potential for Advancing Both Practical Applications and Policy Implications

Ideas for Session Plans:

• Practice-Focused: Demonstrate a new tool or method, followed by a hands-on activity where participants apply what they've learned.

• Policy-Focused: Present a case study on a policy initiative, followed by a discussion on its implications and potential applications in different contexts.

• Combined Approach: Begin with a practice demonstration, then shift to a policy dialogue to discuss how the practice can inform policy decisions, concluding with reflections on practical and policy outcomes.

Key Benefits:

• Flexible Format

• Interactive and Engaging

• Inclusive and Collaborative

• Actionable Insights

We recognize that transformations require creative, inspiring, and restorative spaces and practices. This session invites proposals for incorporating the arts and alternative modes of expression into the conference, providing opportunities for performance, film, and other creative practices that contribute to the theme of transformation. These sessions aim to engage participants in new and innovative ways, fostering a deeper connection to the themes of the conference.

Types of Sessions:

1. Creative Practices:

• Description: Display of visual arts projects, film/documentary watch parties with discussion spaces, co-creation of artworks, and other creative practices. 

• Formats: 

  • Visual art exhibitions 

  • Film screenings followed by discussions 

  • Interactive art installations 

  • Collaborative art-making sessions

2. Performances:

• Description: Live performances that explore themes of transformation, including theater, dance, music, spoken word, and other forms of performance art. 

• Formats: 

  • Short plays or monologues 

  • Dance performances 

  • Musical performances 

  • Spoken word or poetry readings

3. Wellbeing Practices:

• Description: Spaces for embodied, creative, heart-opening exploration, including physical, mental, and spiritual practices. 

• Formats: 

  • Movement-based sessions (e.g., dance, yoga) 

  • Skill-sharing workshops 

  • Game playing and mindfulness exercises 

  • Authentic relating and nature-based activities

Proposal Requirements:

• Summary (300 words max): Description of the proposal and its contribution to transformation theory and/or practice.

• Technical Requirements: Summary of any technical needs or equipment required for the session.

• Facilitator Details: Information about who is running the session, their organizations/communities/networks, and their relevant experience.

Additional Criteria for Selection:

• Contribution to Transformative Space: The extent to which the proposal contributes to creating a transformative space for conference participants.

• Engagement and Interactivity: The degree to which the session engages participants in interactive and meaningful ways.

• Innovative Expression: The creativity and innovation of the proposed session in expressing themes of transformation.

Key Benefits:

• Creative Engagement

• Interactive and Restorative

• Holistic Approach

We invite you to submit proposals for TransAction workshops to be held on Sunday, August 17th, 2025, just before the TC/ESG Conference 2025. These workshops, lasting anywhere from 3 hours to the whole day, are designed to engage transdisciplinary scholars and action researchers in hands-on, skills-oriented sessions that promote innovation in the field of sustainability transformations.