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. Featuring renowned speakers, thought leaders, and industry experts, the program covers a wide range of topics, providing attendees with valuable insights, inspiration, and actionable takeaways to drive positive change in education.

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.

STEP 1 encourages the community to enter a session proposal to speak at SXSW EDU.

STEP 2 allows the community to browse all of the ideas, provide feedback, and vote for their favorite proposals.

PanelPicker voting for SXSW EDU 2024 is now closed.

The wide range of topics and ideas that will be explored across the SXSW EDU program are organized by 12 overarching thematic tracks that focus on timely topics in education.

Accessibility & Inclusion
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

Arts & Storytelling
Exploring arts-based pedagogies and creative practices including the performing and visual arts, arts integration, media creation, and the intersection of STEM and STEAM as well as narrative and world-building approaches for teaching and learning

Community Initiatives
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, and more

Equity & Justice
Addressing work championing equity, justice, belonging, diversity, and inclusion in education and beyond, including social and economic disparities, culturally responsive teaching, anti-racism practice, LGBTQIA+ issues, restorative justice, and more to ensure equitable opportunities and outcomes for all

Future of Tech
Exploring development and implementation of educational technology including virtual tools, generative artificial intelligence, machine learning, XR, blockchain, and data interoperability, with a focus on issues surrounding equitable access to technology and future-forward solutions for tech integration

Global Initiatives
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 refugee and immigrant learners, cross-cultural initiatives, and more

Health & Wellbeing
Furthering social emotional learning, whole-child education, and human flourishing including initiatives addressing mental and physical wellness, trauma-informed practices, and health education with a focus on mental health initiatives and comprehensive wellbeing for educators, students, and families

Leadership for Tomorrow
Groundbreaking insights spotlighting work in leadership development and institutional transformation with topics including organizational management, executive leadership, systemic implementation, pathway creation across the education sector, and educator development and support

Policy & Civic Engagement
Addressing education policy issues 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, advocacy and activism, and public-private partnerships

Startups & Investment
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 adaptability

Teaching & Learning
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, the science of learning, creative pedagogies, and communities of practice

Work Reimagined
Programs and new approaches to professional development, upskilling, corporate learning, and talent development, including workforce revitalization, training, and career transitions, as well as initiatives for mature learners, pathways for non-traditional students, and how the future of work will impact new generations of students

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.

Featured (60 min, 1-4 speakers)
A groundbreaking presentation focusing on leading trends and topics across the education space and beyond that highlights each hour of conference programming during the event

Keynote (60 min, 1+ speakers)
A plenary session highlighting thought leadership that kicks off each day of SXSW EDU programming

Conversation (60 min, 2 speakers)
An in-depth and rich dialogue in an interview or fireside chat format that discusses and dissects work and insights on a particular topic, followed by audience Q&A

Meet Up (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.

Panel (60 min, 3-4 speakers)
A dynamic and diverse discussion offering multiple viewpoints on a particular topic, followed by audience Q&A

Performance (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

Podcast (60 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

Solo (30 min, 1 speaker)
A short solo presentation highlighting new and emerging ideas, followed by audience Q&A

Workshop (90 min, 1-3 speakers)
An in-depth, instructional program with hands-on learning activities and specific takeaways