Sustainable Development Symposium
On March 3 and 4, 2027, scholars, practitioners and community leaders are invited to explore the intersections of environmental communication, social policy and justice at the second annual 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.
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, corporate social responsibility and sustainable development.
- Highlight community-based approaches to environmental justice.
- Facilitate storytelling of empowerment and resiliency.
- Support the development of interdisciplinary scholarship 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@pnw.edu.
- Deadline: October 19, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
- Notification of Acceptance: November 20, 2026
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
- Industrial practitioners
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
- Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmental, social and governance (ESG)
- Communication strategies for ecological remediation
- Interdisciplinary approaches to environmental education
It should be noted that the views expressed at this symposium will not necessarily reflect the views of Purdue University Northwest, Purdue University or the Purdue University Board of Trustees.
To request a disability-related accommodation, please contact the Office for Civil Rights at civilrights@pnw.edu or (219) 989-2163 five days prior to the event.
In accordance with Purdue policies, all persons have equal access to Purdue University’s educational programs, services, and activities, without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or status as a veteran. See Purdue’s Nondiscrimination Policy Statement. If you have any questions or concerns regarding these policies, please contact the Office for Civil Rights at civilrights@pnw.edu or (219) 989-2337.