PanelPicker 2025: Explore Trends From More Than 1,400 Proposals

With more than 1,400 proposals submitted for SXSW EDU 2025, the programming is gearing up to drive impact. We’ve broken down some key trends and insights directly from PanelPicker to help you as you vote on your favorite sessions right now through August 18, 2024.

The proposals entered this summer spanned all 12 of the thematic tracks that will organize the event’s program, with Teaching & Learning, Equity & Justice, and Leadership for Tomorrow coming out as the most popular. Furthermore, the most submitted formats were Panels, Workshops, and Solos.

Keyword Search Trends

Here are some top keywords used in proposals for SXSW EDU 2025:

• This year’s top keyword is students with 853 session proposals mentioning it in their description.
• AI is reflected in 573 proposals focusing on learning more about its applications and improving it’s use in the classroom and beyond.
• The impact that educators create is top of mind in 349 proposals.
• Discovering new strategies is a key focus for 2025, with 298 proposals using the keyword.
• 289 sessions reflected a focus on leaders.
• Similar to years past, community is a relevant keyword, with 286 proposals referencing it in their descriptions.
• Sharpening skills is a high priority, with mention of the keyword in 265 proposals.
• 256 session ideas are looking towards the future.
• This year marks 15 years of impact, and is aligned with the community as the keyword was used 211 times.

Proposals by Track

Accessibility & Inclusion

This year, 5% of proposals were submitted to the Accessibility & Inclusion track, which tackles initiatives and programs that focus on best practices in special education, supporting students with learning differences, and more. The most commonly used tags in this track, which dive deeper to further clarify, consist of diversity & inclusion, neurodiversity, and special education.

Arts & Storytelling

5% of session ideas were submitted to the Arts & Storytelling track, which explores pedagogies and creative practices in visual arts, arts integration, media creation, gaming, and more. Top tags in this track are storytelling, creativity, and arts integration.

Community Initiatives

The Community Initiatives track aims to empower and link communities both within and outside of educational sessions. This track made up 6% of proposals, with community impact, partnerships, and parent engagement as the top tags used.

Equity & Justice

Just over 11% of session proposals were submitted to the Equity & Justice track, which addresses work championing equity, justice, belonging, diversity, and inclusion in education and beyond. Top tags include diversity & inclusion, social justice, and professional development.

Future of Tech

With top tags including artificial intelligence, edtech, and data, the Future of Tech track had 10% of total proposals submitted to PanelPicker. This track explores the development and ethical implementation of educational technology.

Global Initiatives

2% of session proposals were submitted to the Global Initiatives track, which explores the importance of global collaboration in education and beyond. Top tags include sustainability, diversity & inclusion, and community impact.

Health & Wellbeing

This year, 8% of session ideas were for the Health & Wellbeing track, focused on furthering emotional learning, whole-child education, and human flourishing. Tags including mental health, wellness, and child development were most used.

Leadership for Tomorrow

The second-largest number of proposals were submitted to Leadership for Tomorrow, with 11% of total proposals. This track spotlights work in leadership development and institutional transformation. Professional development, talent development, and design thinking were the top tags used in this track.

Policy & Advocacy

Comprising 6% of proposals, Policy & Advocacy addresses education policy issues across local, regional, national, and international governance. Top tags across this track include data, community impact, and partnerships.

Startups & Investment

Focused on the business of education, the Startups & Investment track received 2% of total proposals. The top tags in this track were entrepreneurship, funding, and edtech.

Teaching & Learning

The largest number of session ideas were submitted to Teaching & Learning, making up 25% of total proposals. Content focused on instruction and pedagogy across the entire learning lifecycle are highlighted in this track. Top tags include curriculum design, professional development, and instruction.

Work Reimagined

Programs and new approaches to professional development, upskilling, corporate learning, and talent development are submitted to the Work Reimagined track, which received 9% of total submissions. Employability & career development, professional development, and talent development are the top tags in this track.

Help Shape the Program

PanelPicker Community Voting is open now through Sunday, August 18. 30% of the final decision for which sessions make it to the SXSW EDU 2025 stage comes from the community. Vote on your favorite sessions now and help shape the look and feel of the event.

See You at SXSW EDU 2025

Registration is now open for SXSW EDU 2025! Take advantage early for the best rate and hotel options March 3-6, 2025 in downtown Austin.

Sign up for SXSW EDU email updates, check out the News feed, watch videos, and follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads, and TikTok to get the most up-to-date information.

Photo provided by Tico Mendoza