Submit Proposals
Our 2026 virtual conference welcomes ESS-related panel and presentation proposals for research studies of the environment – both natural and social sciences -as well as presentations related to pedagogy in primary, secondary, and higher education, research methods, and community engagement.
The following formats will be considered:
- individual presentations
- full panel sessions with >3 presenters
- lightning talks
- discussion sessions
- professional development and special topic sessions
- work-in-progress presentations
- workshops
- poster presentations
Individual and Group Presentation Proposal Deadline Feb 15
Individual paper and panel presentation submission portal is open. Decisions will be communicated early March.
Poster Presentation Proposal Deadline May 15
Poster submissions will be evaluated on a rolling basis through May 15.
I have earned three interdisciplinary environmental degrees, and it wasn’t until I discovered AESS near the end of my PhD program that I realized that my actual home was environmental studies. I have never fit well into any disciplinary boxes, so for me AESS is a natural fit because the organization celebrates disciplinary diversity and values scholars who can bridge divides to make real change. ~S. Caplow
Workshops
Professional Development Workshops differ from symposia and panels in having a formal educational or professional development component that involves clear goals and learning outcomes as well as appropriate teaching methods. Content may include presentations, discussions, exercises, formal training, assigned pre-conference readings, or other methods of promoting heuristic goals.
Posters
Poster presentations are designed for the presentation of research or pedagogical or program innovations in a less formal and more interactive way than a formal panel. Effective posters focus on the main points of the research (the question, key findings, basic methodology); the main value of the session is the dialog between presenter and session attendees. Poster presentations should offer a single panel visual aid for attendees to review in lieu of a power point presentation. There will be opportunities for attendees to interact with presenters during designated time periods during a virtual poster gallery gathering.
Panel
A presentation panel proposal must have a full set of participants (ideally 3-4). All participants names, affiliations and abstract titles must be submitted by the session chair to be considered for review. We particularly encourage sessions that include multiple disciplines, professions, and perspectives. Presentation panels are designed for presentation of research or other scholarly AESS-related endeavors.
Work-in-Progress
Work-in-Progress Presentations are 4-6 minute talks describing research or projects that are underway but not yet complete. You may submit a WIP proposal plus individual presentation under separate topics.
Individual
An individual paper proposal is appropriate for those wishing to share the results of research or pedagogical or program innovations. For 2026, we are offering traditional 10 minute presentations OR 5 minute lightning talks, each grouped into sessions with an assigned session moderator. Please review guidelines to prepare for lightning presentations. Presentations will be grouped into themed panels by the Program Chair and assigned a session moderator.
Symposia
Discussion symposiums are designed for focused discussion on important questions of interest to the ESS community. Playing off the original ancient Greek symposia, the emphasis is on in-depth intellectual exchange. Opening remarks are appropriate but it is not expected that participants will deliver a formal presentation. Discussion sessions may be 55 minutes in length. Discussion sessions and must be fully organized in advance with all details submitted through the call by deadline.
Professional Development & Special topics
Special Topics Sessions are intended to be used as a professional information session that offers insight into areas of interest, e.g. how to publish, grant writing, how to prepare for academic interview, AI in the classroom, leveraging the resources available. They are meant to be interactive and offer space for information shares and community building.
After years of researching and publishing I came across AESS and found others exactly like me – interdisciplinary academics who research and teach about environmental problems and who don’t fit squarely within traditional academic homes. ~D. Murphy
General note for all submissions
Abstracts for all proposals should be no more than 300 words and written for a broad, non-expert, multidisciplinary audience.
Each abstract should include:
- A brief overview of the topic or focus
- The nature of the work being presented (e.g., original research, theoretical contribution, project or program description, pedagogical innovation, artistic work, etc.)
- A brief description of the methodology, approach, or process
- A summary of results, outcomes, or expected findings (for work in progress)
- A statement of the relevance or implications of the work for environmental studies and sciences
Technical language should be kept to a minimum.
Proposal Guidelines
General Abstract Guidelines (All Session Types)
Abstracts for all proposals should be no more than 300 words and written for a broad, non-expert, multidisciplinary audience.
Each abstract should include:
- A brief overview of the topic or focus
- The nature of the work being presented (e.g., original research, theoretical contribution, project or program description, pedagogical innovation, artistic work, etc.)
- A brief description of the methodology, approach, or process
- A summary of results, outcomes, or expected findings (for work in progress)
- A statement of the relevance or implications of the work for environmental studies and sciences
Technical language should be kept to a minimum.
Presenters will be prompted to select one of the following thematic areas during the submission process.
Research
- Natural Science
- Social Science
- Arts/Humanities
- Other
Teaching
- Curriculum
- Pedagogy
Special Interest Topics
Professional Development
- For students
- For faculty/professionals
- Research support (e.g., publishing, grant writing)
- Other
Other
Standard Session Length
Most sessions will be 55 minutes, including:
- Poster sessions (two sessions planned)
- Lightning talk panels (6–7 talks per session; 4–5 minutes each)
- Full panels
- Individual presentation panels
- Discussion sessions
- Professional development and special topic sessions
- Work-in-progress symposium (4–6 minutes per presenter)
- Special interest group meeting **
Workshops may be either 55 or 90 minutes.
**Special interest group meetings may be scheduled outside standard conference hours and are intended for focused conversations such as book discussions, topical working groups, or informal networking around shared interests.
Individual Presentations
- Length: 8–10 minutes, grouped into sessions, chair assigned
- Abstract only for proposal submission
Full Panel Sessions
A proposal for a fully formed panel session (3–5 presentations on a related topic) should include a summary abstract of 300 words or fewer describing and justifying the session. This may address relevance to the conference theme, contribution to the field, alignment with the mission of AESS, and/or scholarly or professional significance.
Two-step submission process:
- The panel chair/organizer submits a proposal selecting “Full Panel” and includes a brief session description. Presentation titles and author names for all panelists should be listed in the “additional abstracts” text box.
- Each panelist must submit their own abstract as a separate proposal, selecting “Full Panel” and referencing the panel session title in their “additional abstracts” text box.
Full panel sessions will move to review once all panelists have submitted their abstracts. Tentative titles are acceptable and may be updated later.
Session length: 55 minutes
Lightning Talks
Lightning talks are 4–5-minute oral presentations designed to spark conversation, share emerging ideas, and foster new collaborations.
- Abstract only required for proposal submission
Lighting talks will be grouped into sessions by the program chairs based on topicality .
Guidelines for Oral Presentations
- Since it takes approximately 1 minute to adequately discuss a Powerpoint slide, your talk should contain no more than 5 slides (roughly).
- Focus only on the BIG QUESTIONS that guided your work, rather than the details of what you did. Think in terms of (a) motivation – 1 minute, (b) steps you took to address the issue/problem – 1 minute, (c) the answers you found – 1.5 minutes, and (d) why it all matters – 1.5 minutes.
Your presentation should include the following:
- Title of presentation and your name/affiliation (1 slide)
- Motivation/background (1 slide) – Keep your message concise and appropriate for a general audience. Think in terms of a good “elevator pitch” to get listener’s attention, which might include:
- Why did you undertake this project?
- What is the underlying issue/need for this work?
- Why does it matter?
- Methods/approach (1 slide) – Explain what you did to address the topic. Your explanation might include:
- What method/approach/theory have you used to investigate the topic?
- Why was this method/approach/theory chosen and why does it work?
- Provide only the information that is necessary for the audience to understand your work.
- Results/analysis (1-2 slides) – Here, you will show the key data from your work. Focus only on the key points you would like the audience to leave with. Use mostly photos/tables/graphs to convey the ideas.
- Conclusions (1 slide) – Explain the broad conclusions you drew from the work, the large-scale implications, and the future direction.
- Acknowledgements (1 slide, or may be combine with conclusions)
Discussion Session
Session length: 55 minutes
Discussion session proposals should include:
- Abstract that – in addition to the other abstract requirements – includes a brief description of the session format (e.g., short presentation followed by discussion, facilitated discussion only)
- List of co-presenters or facilitators, if applicable (can also be listed as co-authors/presenters)
Professional Development & Special Topics
Session length: 55 minutes
Abstract that – in addition to the other abstract requirements – includes a description of the session format, any interactive components, and what, if anything, participants should prepare or bring to fully engage.
Work-in-Progress Presentations
Work-in-progress presentations are 4–6-minute talks describing research or projects that are underway but not yet complete.
- Abstract only
Workshops
Proposals should contain sufficient detail to justify the length of time participants will commit to this session. We expect leaders of accepted workshops to actively promote their sessions in advance of the registration deadline.
Workshop proposals should include:
- Title
- Length (55 or 90 minutes)
- Session leader(s) and brief description of qualifications and role
- Session purpose and learning outcomes
- Session outline with activities and approximate timing, clearly identifying interactive components
- Description of the target audience
- Abstract (up to 300 words) summarizing all of the above for publication in the online program
NOTE 1: Workshop facilitators will receive a roster for their session and can request one from events@aessonline.org at anytime. We ask all workshop leaders to register by the conference’s early registration deadline or the workshop may be canceled.
NOTE 2: Once your workshop is accepted, you can coordinate with Carolyn Anthon to facilitate cross-platform promotional communications to share about this session.
Posters
Poster presentations provide an opportunity to visually and concisely share research, project outcomes, pedagogical approaches, or other programmatic work, while engaging in informal, one-on-one or small-group conversations with conference participants.
Posters typically present work in a highly accessible format that emphasizes key ideas, visuals, and takeaways rather than detailed exposition. The primary value of a poster session is the dialogue it creates, offering opportunities for feedback, networking, and collaboration.
Poster presentations may feature:
- Original or ongoing research
- Project or program outcomes
- Pedagogical innovations
- Institutional, community-based, or applied work
While posters are often a first step for emerging scholars, this format is open to participants at any stage of their schooling or career.
Submission requirement:
- Abstract only (up to 300 words)