AASHE 2023 Call for Proposals

Submit a Proposal

Why Present at #AASHE2023

• Demonstrate thought leadership: Gain recognition for your successes by sharing your experiences and lessons learned on the largest stage for sustainability in higher education. 
• Advance the higher education sustainability movement: From engaging attendees with your sustainability story to empowering others with insight, tools and solutions that have helped you, your participation will enhance the community’s sustainability knowledge, skills and competencies.
• Strengthen your skills: Each presentation is an opportunity to refine your presentation skills and to experiment with new audience engagement techniques.
• Build community: Sharing your work is a great way to make connections and find partners within the AASHE community. It encourages increased peer-to-peer learning, networking and collaboration to support a stronger campus sustainability community.
• Save money: If registered by September 15, accepted presenters receive a discount applicable to the cost of a full conference registration.

Session Types

• Field Reports (45 minutes): Field reports provide a great way to spotlight innovative and high impact approaches for advancing sustainability based on the real-world experiences of higher education sustainability leaders.
• Learning Labs  (3 hours): Learning labs provide in-depth learning experiences focused on advancing sustainability-related competencies or skills. They allow deeper dives into specific topics than provided in a field report and should include significant opportunity for audience interaction.
• Networking Meetings (45 minutes): Networking meetings are an opportunity for regional networks and other affinity groups (e.g., zero waste managers or community college representatives) to convene, network and discuss issues that are relevant to the group. They are interactive in nature and, besides a brief introduction to start the conversation, should not include a formal presentation.
• Topical Tables: Topical tables are designated spaces (typically a table or two) for people with a common interest to connect informally over lunch. Some topical tables may have a facilitator to guide the conversation but there should be no formal presentations or activities.

Focus Areas 

This year, we are particularly seeking proposals that focus on following subjects, which are based on specific needs and interests expressed by members of the AASHE community, particularly the Conference Content Task Force:

• Gaining influence: this may include: expanding the scope of responsibility of sustainability staff; securing or enhancing support from campus leadership; finding allies and building a stronger base of sustainability advocates; forming or strengthening coalitions; collaborating with other departments (e.g., DEI, procurement, marketing) or external actors (e.g., government, business, civil society); strengthening sustainability governance structures; or effective facilitation and stakeholder engagement.
• Campus decarbonization: this may include: renewable energy; building electrification and efficiency; financing options; electric vehicles; air travel reduction efforts; or behavior change programs.
• Sustainability assessment and reporting: this may include: successful approaches for collecting sustainability data; effective dissemination of sustainability data (e.g., through reports or dashboards); new metrics or assessment frameworks; or strategies for leveraging sustainability data/recognition to make change. 
• Racial equity and social justice: this may include: equitable hiring practices; campus labor rights, just procurement or investment strategies; support programs for marginalized groups; affordability issues; combating white supremacy and eco-facism; Indigenization and decolonization, or non-extractive community partnerships. 
• Communications and storytelling: this may include: avoiding greenwashing; articulating a positive vision for the future; reaching beyond the choir; social media strategies; or expanding the visibility of higher ed sustainability generally.
• Mental health and wellness: this may include: maintaining motivation and avoiding burnout; overcoming or managing eco-anxiety; or developing and strengthening personal resilience.  
• Teaching & Learning: This may include: pedagogy, content and leadership for sustainability education; curriculum integrations; or experiential learning and campus as a classroom.