Sustainable Development Symposium
Join scholars, practitioners and community leaders on March 4 and 5, 2026 to explore the intersections of environmental communication, social policy and justice at the Sustainable Development Symposium.
As the realities of global climate change, land remediation and public health become increasingly urgent in Northwest Indiana, this symposium aims to explore the intersections of environmental communication, social policy and justice in relation to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
This event supports the development of an interdisciplinary certificate program in Environmental Communication and Social Policy, aimed at training students and professionals to deliberate on complex environmental issues and manage crises in local institutional settings.
Interested in Presenting?
Proposal Deadline: Oct. 19, 2025
We are now accepting proposals! We welcome submissions for oral presentations, panel discussions, workshops and posters in a variety of topics.
Proposal Deadline: October 19, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. CT
Acceptance Announcement Date: November 21, 2025
Dates: March 4 and 5, 2026
Location: Student Union Library Building Rooms 358 (Founders Study) and 360 (Alumni Hall), PNW Hammond Campus, 2233 173rd St. Hammond, IN, 46323
Hosted by Purdue University Northwest’s Departments of Communication and Creative Arts, Behavioral Sciences, and Biological Sciences
- Foster dialogue on how communication shapes environmental and social policy.
- Explore strategies for ecological remediation, public health advocacy and sustainable development.
- Highlight community-based approaches to environmental justice.
- Support the development of interdisciplinary curricula and community partnerships.
Proposal Information
Submission Guidelines
Please submit a proposal of 300–500 words, including:
- Title of your presentation or session
- Format (oral, panel, workshop, or poster)
- Abstract outlining your topic, objectives, and relevance
- Names and affiliations of all presenters
- Brief bio (100 words max) for each presenter
How to Submit Your Proposal:
- Submit proposals to: Symposium Planning Committee at ISD@purdue.edu.
- Deadline: October 19, 2025, at 11:59 pm CT
- Notification of Acceptance: November 21, 2025
We invite proposals from:
- Faculty and researchers
- Policy makers and public officials
- Environmental activists and community organizers
- Graduate and undergraduate students
- Professionals in public health, urban planning and environmental science
We welcome submissions in the following formats:
- Oral Presentations (20 minutes): Individual research or case studies.
- Panel Discussions (60–90 minutes): Thematic sessions with 3 to 5 speakers.
- Workshops (60–90 minutes): Interactive sessions focused on skill-building or collaborative problem-solving.
- Posters: Visual presentations of research, projects or community initiatives.
Topics may include, but are not limited to:
- Environmental justice and communication
- Risk communication and public health
- Community engagement and participatory policy-making
- Climate change and local governance
- Media, activism and environmental narratives
- Sustainable development in post-industrial regions
- Communication strategies for ecological remediation
- Interdisciplinary approaches to environmental education