Appoint a primary contact for your session, known as the organizer, to facilitate correspondence throughout the PanelPicker process and beyond, if accepted. The session organizer can also be a proposed speaker, but they are not assumed to be participating as a speaker unless indicated. Remember that the session organizer serves as the main point of contact for the session, and is responsible for communicating information to the speakers and ensuring the success of the session.

The information required in this step serves as the foundation for your session idea. Your selections will help the community understand and differentiate your proposal among many others.

• Try to keep your title as concise and explanatory as possible. Make sure your proposal is easily accessible to the community with a great title that clearly speaks to the audience you are trying to reach. (max. 60 characters including spaces)
• Choose the format that best fits your session structure and presentation style. Reflect on the goals of your session idea — are you looking to engage in a thought-provoking discussion, lead a learning activity, or convene a specific community? Reference the corresponding options to determine which format best suits your idea.
• Further clarify the focus of your idea by selecting two tags from the menu that will help the community search for your session and home in on the specifics of your content.
• Select a thematic track that generally aligns with your idea so that attendees looking for similar content can find your session. Your idea may fit under multiple track options, so focus on the track that best represents your session content and goals.
• Designate a session focus area to set the level of education your session content will be addressing. The SXSW EDU program covers the entire learning lifecycle, and this allows your session to better stand out within the community. If your idea focuses on multiple levels of education or covers broader initiatives within the education space, please select “Convergence.”
• Clearly identify the intended audience for your session, as well as the background knowledge required to help attendees understand who will benefit most from your session and to further refine your session goals.

Describe your session content (max. 600 characters including spaces) and session takeaways (max. 150 characters each including spaces). Accurately define the comprehensive focus of your idea in a compelling manner and provide three specific and concrete learnings that attendees will gain from attending your session. The SXSW EDU community looks for actionable insights that they can implement in their own work and development. Please keep in mind the following tips:

• Depth is more important than breadth in making your idea an impactful session.
• The audience at SXSW EDU is well-versed in the current education landscape. Given the limited space, your description does not need to reference broad statements and statistics about the state of education, and should focus on the specific content of your session.
• Please do not include speaker names or organization references in the session description as these are listed separately in the application process and beyond.
• Use paragraph form for your description (no bullets or lists).
• Be sure to spell out the first mention of any acronyms you include.
• Advertorial or brand-centered descriptions are not allowed. If you are interested in promoting your brand at SXSW EDU, email sales@sxswedu.com.
• Please note that session takeaways are optional for Meet Up proposals only, as the Meet Up format is NOT presentation-based.

Add a short creative video and/or visual aids to serve as the digital face of your proposal. You must provide at least one resource to support your programming idea. Videos are highly preferred, and there’s no need for high-value production, as we just want to hear you speak — just record yourself on your phone or computer pitching your idea! Please note that you must have clear rights to whatever resources you include. Please enable closed captioning for any videos you include and make sure they are publicly viewable.

Speakers are an important part of your proposal and play a large role in the evaluation of your idea. Be prepared to enter each proposed speaker’s name, contact information, short bio, and diversity contributions. Although most of this information is kept confidential, know that each speaker’s name, title, organization, and bio will be shared with the community.

• SXSW EDU values diversity in perspective, opinion, and representation and the most interesting sessions are ones that offer many different perspectives. For each proposed speaker, you will be asked to address how they contribute to the diversity of the session.
• Keep in mind the maximum speaker limits associated with your selected session format. For example, the panel format is limited to a maximum of four speakers, including the moderator, if desired.
• Moderators are optional but should be independent, neutral facilitators in the discussion. Please note the moderator counts toward your maximum speaker limit.
• While a particular speaker may be proposed for multiple sessions, in the interest of providing diverse perspectives, speakers will be limited to participating in two (2) programmed sessions (with the exception of Mentor sessions).
• You must have consent from all listed speakers to be included in your proposal.

Proofread and double-check that your proposal is complete and error-free. You can select the “Back” and “Save and Continue” buttons at the bottom of the page to toggle between sections of the proposal.

Make sure you take a few moments to review and check all of the agreement terms before finalizing your proposal.

Your proposal is not complete until you click the “Submit Application” button.

Conversation

(45 min, 2 speakers)
An in-depth interview, fireside chat, or debate that spotlights thought leadership and insights on a particular topic or area of expertise, followed by audience Q&A

• This format highlights rich and insightful conversation that delves into topics across the educational landscape
• Don’t forget to leave time for the audience to join in on the conversation through Q&A

Meet Up

(60 min, 1-2 speakers)
A speaker-facilitated networking event that encourages communities to connect around similar topics, passions, roles, or interests. Please note this is NOT a presentation-based session format.

• The primary focus is to foster connections and community engagement
• These sessions are community or topic-focused networking events that can take a variety of forms, such as a facilitated networking activity, game, or discussion

Panel

(45 min, 3-4 speakers)
A dynamic and diverse discussion offering multiple viewpoints on a particular topic, followed by audience Q&A

• Since this format allows for multiple presenters to contribute to the conversation, choose your speaker lineup carefully to consider what voices and perspectives can contribute to a rich conversation on the topic
• If you submit a proposal for a panel, be sure to pay close attention to the diversity guidelines

Performance

(90 min, 1+ speakers)
A musical, theatrical, storytelling, dance, poetry, or other performance that includes a workshop or extended Q&A to reflect on the value of the performing arts as a vehicle for deeper learning and offer takeaways for the audience

• Additional performers can join the session if accepted
• Performances should be combined with a workshop-style experience, offering a deeper understanding of the concepts fueling the performance as a vehicle for deeper learning and takeaways

Podcast

(45 min, 2-4 speakers)
For media organizations and existing podcasts, a conversation on topics across the education landscape, recorded in front of a live audience to be used as a future episode

• Audience Q&A can be included to enhance engagement
• These recordings will be shared with organizers afterwards to be released as future podcast episodes

Solo

(20 min, 1 speaker)
A short solo presentation highlighting new and emerging ideas, followed by audience Q&A

• Solo sessions allow speakers to delve into specific topics quickly, offering attendees a focused and intentional presentation
• Work to isolate the primary aspect of your topic and get into the specifics

Workshop

(90 min, 1-3 speakers)
An in-depth, instructional program with hands-on learning activities and specific takeaways

• Attendees highly value workshops due to the comprehensive information and interactive exercises they offer
• The longer duration allows speakers to delve deeply into the subject matter and facilitate active participation from all participants

Accessibility Solutions
Exploring initiatives and programs that focus on special education, learning differences and neurodiversity, and disabilities across the learning lifecycle including adaptive instructional strategies, assistive technology, universal design, and more

Arts & Culture
Exploring arts-based pedagogies and cultural and creative practices including the performing and visual arts, arts integration, media creation, gaming, and media and entertainment initiatives as well as approaches to storytelling, branding, and world-building for teaching and learning

Community Initiatives
Programs and projects focused on empowering and connecting communities in and out of the classroom by highlighting partnerships and work organized by community spaces and groups including libraries, museums, makerspaces, community centers, after-school and summer programs, informal learning programs, outdoor education initiatives, and more

Equity & Belonging
Addressing work championing equity, justice, belonging, diversity, and inclusion in education and beyond, including social and economic disparities, culturally responsive teaching, anti-racism practice, gender and LGBTQIA+ issues, restorative justice, and more to ensure equitable opportunities and outcomes for all

Future of Tech
Exploring development and implementation of educational technology including virtual tools, generative artificial intelligence, and data interoperability, with a focus on issues surrounding equitable access to and ethical use of technology and future-forward solutions for tech integration

Global Initiatives
Programs and initiatives exploring the importance of global collaboration in education and beyond including international instructional approaches and business ventures, language learning and ESL/ELL instruction, program implementation across borders, global partnerships, issues impacting immigrant learners and international students, cross-cultural initiatives, and more

Health & Wellbeing
Furthering social emotional learning, whole-child education, and human flourishing including initiatives addressing mental and physical wellness, trauma-informed practices, digital wellbeing, sports and physical education, and health education with a focus on mental health initiatives and comprehensive wellbeing for educators, students, and families

Leadership for Tomorrow
Groundbreaking insights spotlighting work in leadership development and institutional transformation with topics including organizational management, issues impacting administration, executive leadership, systemic implementation, cultivation of youth leadership, pathway creation across the education sector, and educator development and support

Policy & Advocacy
Addressing education policy issues and legislative changes across local, regional, national, and international governance including funding, curriculum and assessment standards, student data use and privacy, school safety, and digital policies, as well as economic development, civic engagement and activism, and public-private partnerships

Startups & Investment
Content focused on the business of education with a focus on entrepreneurship and startups, with topics including investment and funding, marketing and branding strategies, corporate initiatives and partnerships, market trends and analysis, and business scalability and adaptability

Teaching & Learning
Content focused on instruction and pedagogy across the entire learning lifecycle with a focus on solution-oriented strategies, innovative teaching, learner agency, and child development, with topics including instructional best practices for all educational levels and evolving curricula, teacher and faculty support, the science of learning, creative pedagogies, and communities of practice

Work Reimagined
Programs and new approaches to professional development, upskilling, microcredentialing, corporate learning, and talent development, including workforce revitalization, training, and career transitions, as well as initiatives for adult learners, non-degree pathways, and how the future of work will impact new generations of students