SXSW EDU provides a destination for personal and professional growth with an unparalleled program featuring education thought-leaders, compelling sessions, films, and more.
The Full Spectrum: A Raccoon and Neurodivergence in Kids Media - SXSW EDU 2025 - Photo by Amanda Stronza
Featuring a diverse array of speakers and sessions, competitions, performances, and film screenings, the SXSW EDU program fosters learning and discovery for all education stakeholders.
The majority of the program is fueled by community input through various applications, including PanelPicker®, which is a two-step online process that enables the community to lend their voice to the event.
Explore this year's 12 thematic tracks, focus areas and formats.
The SXSW EDU program covers the entire learning lifecycle, so session focus areas highlight the level of education session content will address.
Focus AreasEarly Learning Sessions that focus on issues impacting learning starting from birth, from child development and parenting, to child care and teaching practice and beyond
K-12 Education
From primary to secondary education these sessions focus on issues impacting the practice and administration in classrooms, as well as initiatives and work that impact learners of school age and adolescence
Higher Education
Whether discussing issues impacting universities, community colleges, or non-traditional pathways, these sessions address post-secondary learning in all of its forms
Continuing Education
From workforce upskilling and re-training to innovative approaches to adult learning, these sessions focus on learning that happens once learners leave traditional levels of schooling
Convergence
For sessions and discussions on issues that span multiple levels of education or speak to initiatives that address pathways between education levels
Whether you're looking to engage in a thought-provoking discussion, participate in a learning activity, or connect with a specific community, session formats offer various ways to engage during the event.
Formats(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
(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.
(45 min, 3-4 speakers) A dynamic and diverse discussion offering multiple viewpoints on a particular topic, followed by audience Q&A
(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
(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
(20 min, 1 speaker) A short solo presentation highlighting new and emerging ideas, followed by audience Q&A
(90 min, 1-3 speakers) An in-depth, instructional program with hands-on learning activities and specific takeaways
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
PERFORMANCES
Adding a unique element to the program that is both educational and entertaining, performances shine a light on performing arts as a vehicle for deeper learning, including theatrical groups, staged readings, music groups, spoken word, dance, and more.
MENTORSHIP
The SXSW EDU Mentor Program is an opportunity for education professionals, students, innovators, and entrepreneurs to connect with seasoned mentors and gain invaluable guidance through one-on-one mentor sessions or roundtable discussions.
COMPETITIONS
SXSW EDU hosts competitions that serve as a vehicle to elevate and honor the work of trailblazers in the space. The Launch Startup Competition and Student Impact Challenge showcase fresh ideas and solutions, and ultimately connect the broader community to those ideas for impact.
FILMS
SXSW EDU celebrates the power of film to explore critical topics and issues impacting education through narratives and documentary film screenings. Many screenings conclude with a Q&A discussion featuring the filmmakers and film subjects for a deeper connection.
Register to attend by Thursday, February 5 to save $100 off the walk-up rate.
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