Sustainability belongs to all of us – no matter your degree program. The Sustainability Symposium is a student-centered conference where you can share sustainability-related work, build communication skills and connect across UMN campuses and fields.
Why the Sustainability Symposium
Big environmental challenges – like climate change, food insecurity and environmental injustice – impact all of us. Solving them takes people from different backgrounds working together.
That’s why the Sustainability Symposium was created in 2011. It expands what sustainability looks like and who gets to be part of it.
From the sciences to the arts – every field has a role to play. The Symposium brings together students, community leaders, researchers and practitioners to share ideas and work toward a common goal.
Whether you’re involved in research, have a completed project or creative work or are developing an idea in progress, we want to hear from you. Present in a supportive setting, receive constructive feedback and discover the breadth of sustainability happening across the University of Minnesota.
There are three ways to get involved:
- Present at the Symposium: For University of Minnesota students only (undergraduate, graduate and professional students welcome)
- Apply for a Student Impact Award
Application: For students only (individuals and teams) - Attend the event: The event is open to the public. Join us and learn about all the work that’s being done across disciplines.
Contact Us
If you have questions about submissions, or if your department is interested in being a co-sponsor, please contact the Sustainability Education team at [email protected].
Sustainability, Reimagined
What does sustainability look like in your hands? It might be a short film, a dataset, a community workshop or a piece of art that captures a changing landscape. However it takes shape, your work – whether creative or applied – belongs at the Sustainability Symposium.
When I finally sat down in front of my already-used canvas, black oil spills started dripping out of my paintbrush. Oil and greed overcame the sun, water, and neighborhood I grew up in… This painting serves as a reminder of what is to come if we do not focus on finding sustainable solutions to the problems we are facing
Steps to Present
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Submit a proposal: Share research, creative work, projects or ideas in progress. Individual and team submissions are welcome. Submit a poster, five-minute presentation or a creative work.
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Get feedback: Some proposals may receive suggestions to help clarify or strengthen how the work is presented. This stage is designed as a coaching opportunity so you can refine your message and build your communication skills before the Symposium.
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Prepare your presentation: Finalize posters or slides with support and guidance from IonE.
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Present and connect: Present your work, receive constructive feedback and connect with students and professionals across UMN.
Want to Present?
Submit your proposal to present. Between submission dates? Get notified when it opens.
Symposium Highlights
Presenting at the Symposium
The Sustainability Symposium welcomes a range of presentation formats and project types. You don’t need a finished research paper to participate.
You may present:
- Research (individual or team-based)
- Class projects or independent work
- Creative work related to sustainability
- Work in progress or early-stage ideas
- A specific perspective from a larger team or project
Presentation formats may include posters, lightning talks, creative works or other approved formats, depending on the year.
The Symposium is designed as a supportive learning environment – especially for first-time presenters.
As you prepare:
- Focus on clear, accessible communication rather than technical detail
- Consider a broad audience from a variety of fields
- Be open about what you’re still exploring or learning
- Use feedback as a chance to strengthen your message
Judges are encouraged to offer constructive, strengths-based feedback to help you grow as a communicator.
Judges and Feedback
Who Are the Judges?
Judges include UMN faculty and staff, as well as community members working in sustainability-related fields. They represent a wide range of disciplines and backgrounds.
Many judges bring perspectives from outside the classroom, offering insight into how sustainability work shows up in communities, organizations and professional settings. Their role is to listen, engage and support student presenters.
What to Expect from Feedback
The Symposium prioritizes constructive, strengths-based feedback — especially for students presenting for the first time.
Judges are encouraged to:
- Highlight what’s working well in your presentation
- Ask thoughtful questions about your ideas or approach
- Offer suggestions to help clarify or strengthen your message
Feedback is meant to help you grow, not to test expertise. Sharing work in progress is welcome, and curiosity and reflection are valued.
