NSS
3rd Annual
Conference
Contribution Guidelines
NSS considers contributions that showcase scholarship on sustainability topics and feature case studies, best practices, collaborative interdisciplinary or cross-sectoral projects, or other works that connect to the NSS conference themes.
Session Proposals: Symposia and Roundtables
Sessions are 75 minutes and proposals must:
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engage the conference theme, “courage, credibility, and collective action.”
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include all speakers within the proposal. Symposium proposals must also include a description for each speaker's oral presentation. Up to 2 co-chairs are allowed.
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follow the formatting guidelines below:
TYPE
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Symposium
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4-5 oral presentations, with slides. 10-12 minutes each
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8-10 ignite talks, with or without slides. 5-6 minutes each
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Roundtable (Flexible format)
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Minimum of 3 speakers.
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Panel Discussion: A moderated discussion by experts on a theme related to some aspect of sustainability research, practice, or education. Panels with representatives from multiple sectors can be particularly enlightening.
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Action Charrettes: A fast-paced, collaborative session where a multi-disciplinary team works together to solve a specific design or policy problem.
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"Speed-Dating" & Matching: Structured, timed rotations designed to match mentors with mentees or researchers with industry partners based on shared interests.
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Collective Mapping: A hands-on exercise (physical or digital) where participants map out stakeholders, supply chains, or environmental justice "hotspots."
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Fishbowl Dialogues: A format that allows for a small group to discuss a sensitive topic (like building trust or admitting failure) while the larger audience observes and "swaps in" to the conversation.
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Policy Sprints: A focused workshop aimed at drafting a one-page "call to action" or agreement on a specific sustainability standard.
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CATEGORY
Case studies; Research; Case studies and Research; or Collab (see contributions page for descriptions).
FORMAT GUIDELINES
Proposal length: 300 words
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Open with the problem: What is the key sustainability challenge or topic you are tackling? Why is it relevant to a cross-sector audience?
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Follow with the action: How does this idea, project, work, or you, your team or organization approach this challenge? Provide a succinct description of the approach or products. Include strategy, methods, data, and audience if relevant. Indicate the timeline, whether aspirational, in progress, or complete. Include actualized or expected hurdles or limitations.
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Finish with the outcome, again using non-sector or discipline-specific language.
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Provide 1-3 key takeaways from the session, with reference to both the session topic and the theme of “courage, credibility, and collective action.”
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REVIEW CRITERIA
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Alignment with theme: Does the submission clearly address the core concepts of courage, credibility, and collective action?
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Focus on sustainability: Does the submission directly related to achieving or hindering specific sustainability goals?
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Type Appropriateness
Research: Does the submission present a genuine, well-defined scholarly inquiry?
Case Study: Does the submission present a genuine, well-defined practical application, initiative, or project rather than a purely theoretical discussion
Collab: Does the submission present a genuine, impactful, and well-defined collaboration action opportunity
4. Cross-Sectoral Relevance, Insight, and Impact: Does the submission aim to demonstrate, advance, or analyze cross-sector collaboration?
5. Clarity and structure: Is the submission logically structured and easy to follow? Is the language clear, concise, and free of jargon that is not properly defined?
6. Diversity of speakers: Do the confirmed speakers represent a variety of backgrounds (e.g. sector, seniority, gender, geography, etc)
Individual Contributions
Individual contributions can either be submitted
1. To an open symposium, or
2. Independently. If accepted, your contribution will be placed into a thematically-oriented session with other indepedent contributions.
Note: If you submit to an open symposium and your contribution is not accepted by the symposium chair, your contribution will move to the independent review process for further consideration.
TYPE
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Symposium: A 10-12 minute oral presentation - open or independent
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Ignite talk: A 5-6 minute oral presentation - open of independent
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Poster/Expo: A visual presentation displayed throughout the conference and presented during a designated poster session. Posters can showcase research, case studies, collab opportunities, or any other program/project/idea you would like to showcase.
CATEGORY
Case study, Research, Collabs (see contributions page for descriptions)
FORMAT GUIDELINES
Proposal length: 300 words
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Open with the problem: What is the key sustainability challenge/topic you are tackling? Why is it relevant to a cross-sector audience?
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If submitting to an open symposium, how does it address the goals of that session?
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Follow with the action: How does this idea, project, work, and/or you, your team, or organization approach this challenge? Provide a succinct description of the approach or products. Include strategy, methods, data, audience if relevant. Indicate the timeline, whether aspirational, in progress, or complete. Include actualized or expected hurdles or limitations.
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If submitting to an open symposium, the action description should speak directly to the specific session topic/goal.
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Finish with the outcome, again using non-sector or discipline-specific language.
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Provide 1-3 key takeaways from your talk, with reference to the theme of “courage, credibility, and collective action.”
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If submitting to an open symposium, the take-aways should speak directly to the symposium goal.
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REVIEW CRITERIA:
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Alignment with theme: Does the submission clearly address the core concepts of courage, credibility, and collective action?
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Focus on sustainability: Does the submission directly related to achieving or hindering specific sustainability goals?
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Type Appropriateness
Open symposium (if applicable): Does the submission respond to the open symposium call with a topically relevant contribution?
Research: Does the submission present a genuine, well-defined scholarly inquiry?
Case Study: Does the submission present a genuine, well-defined practical application, initiative, or project rather than a purely theoretical discussion
Collab: Does the submission present a genuine, impactful, and well-defined collaboration action opportunity
4. Cross-Sectoral Relevance, Insight, and Impact: Does the submission aim to demonstrate, advance, or analyze cross-sector collaboration?
5. Clarity and structure: Is the submission logically structured and easy to follow? Is the language clear, concise, and free of jargon that is not properly defined?
Open Symposia
These symposia topics have been reviewed and accepted by the NSS committee, and are open to receiving contributions for consideration.
View the accepted open symposia, and if your work fits, submit it for consideration!
** If your contribution is not accepted by the symposium chair, it will move to the independent contribution review process for further consideration
Workshop Proposals
Workshops are 2 hours in length and will be held on Monday, August 17th. Workshops are an opportunity for you to share a tool, a skill/skillset, or framework with conference participants in an interactive seminar experience.
Workshops are organized and facilitated by the person(s) submitting the contribution, with some assistance from the NSS Resource Team. Attendance will be capped at 30 participants.
FORMAT GUIDLINES
Proposal length: 500 words
Your proposal must include:
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A jargon-free introduction that provides a basic introduction to your workshop, so that it is understandable to a broad audience (students, scholars, public and private sector professionals, policy-makers, non-government organization representatives, grassroots organizations, etc.)
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An indication of who would benefit from attending your workshop.
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A statement of the practical objectives of your workshop. For example, are you introducing a specific tool, skill, dataset, methodology, framework?
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A description of the specific outcome(s): What will participants take away and be able to use after your workshop?
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Your workshop methodology and a draft agenda. Please include the specific learning/participatory activities and expected outcomes.
Also required:
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A 200 word biography for each facilitator. (Max 3)
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A 300 word workshop advertisement. If accepted, this and the facilitator bios will be shared on the registration page.
REVIEW CRITERIA
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Alignment with theme: Does the submission clearly address the core concepts of courage, credibility, and collective action?
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Focus on sustainability: Does the submission directly related to achieving or hindering specific sustainability goals?
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Learning outcomes: Does the submission clearly define what a participant will be able to do differently after the workshop, and is the format/agenda sufficient to support that change?
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Interactivity and methodology: Does the methodology move beyond passive listening to include specific, structured opportunities for participants to engage with the material, the presenter, or each other?
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Clarity and structure: Is the submission logically structured and easy to follow? Is the language clear, concise, and free of jargon that is not properly defined?
Workshops from previous NSS conferences
