Community voting for SXSW EDU 2025 is now open until August 18! This is your chance to shape next year’s programming by voting on the proposals you hope to see on the 2025 agenda.
We invite you to support our proposals, and those of our partners, which delve into the latest trends and insights in the field of education, from innovative funding models in education research and development to AI-powered teaching and learning. Your vote can help shape the conversation at SXSW EDU 2025 and amplify the voices of exceptional leaders helping to spark transformative change across the education ecosystem.
To see these sessions come to life in Austin, click on the links below, create an account through SXSW EDU PanelPicker, and cast your vote by selecting the “up” arrow next to the proposal. You can also show your support and encourage others to engage by sharing your thoughts and reflections in the comments.
Though you can only vote once per proposal, you can vote for as many sessions as you’d like, so please join us in supporting these exciting proposals.
Seeding Innovation:
The Power of Breakthrough Funding
To build a more robust education research and development ecosystem, traditional funding models must be reformed. From outcome-focused investments to “Big Bets” on moonshot approaches, novel funding approaches are revolutionizing every component of the education R&D ecosystem. Join this panel of experts and practitioners in the field, as they discuss the state of current funding frameworks and the potential of breakthrough funding.
Bridging the Lab-to-Classroom Gap with Inclusive R&D
To bridge the lab-to-classroom gap, researchers and developers must be inclusive of education practitioners throughout the development process. Only in this way can promising education technology tools make their way from research labs into the classroom and benefit all students. In this panel, leaders in inclusive R&D will come together to discuss policy solutions for creating an education R&D system that works for all teachers and students.
Using Evidence to Boost Literacy:
A State Leaders’ Dialogue
Although the federal government invested in researching effective literacy strategies, the findings did little to truly benefit the performance of American students, especially in the states of Mississippi and Tennessee. Join this discussion with Dr. Carey Wright and Penny Schwinn, former state superintendents of education of Mississippi and Tennessee, to hear about how they applied the science of reading and generated transformational literacy growth.
Leading with Inclusion: Edtech for Every Learner
With the significant rise in edtech development, it’s crucial that innovators bring their target users into the process of solution design, iteration, and improvement to ensure that interventions really work for different learners. Join experts from edtech, research, and philanthropy as they highlight the different ways in which innovators are leveraging user feedback to generate sustainable, effective, and inclusive impact.
Industry-Aligned K-12 Pathways & the STEM Jobs of Tomorrow
Rapid changes to workforce needs across the STEM sector are driving education stakeholders to reimagine the K-12 learning experience to ensure learners are cultivating the skills they need for career success. From new approaches to graduation standards to experiential learning programs, join this session to hear how leaders from across the ecosystem—in policy, philanthropy, and industry—are innovating and collaborating to build robust pathways for students to access the jobs of the future.
How Math Misconceptions are Changing Education & Innovation
Research has demonstrated that the misconceptions underlying student math errors offer significant insights into the learning process. These findings have the potential to inform teaching practices and ultimately boost math learning outcomes. Join this discussion featuring experts from edtech, research, and philanthropy to discover how understanding math misconceptions can shape instruction and drive innovation to support student success in the math classroom.
Innovate and Educate: Diverse Funding Models for Ed R&D
Addressing varied challenges within our education system demands diverse funding models capable of fueling truly impactful research and development. Join this session to explore how funders from across different sectors—from philanthropy to federal agencies—are collaborating and spearheading innovative strategies to build a robust and effective education R&D ecosystem.
AI Has Entered the Chat: Chatbots for Enhanced Instruction
AI-powered chatbots are increasingly making their mark on the education landscape, revolutionizing teaching and creating more opportunities for engaging, personalized learning experiences. In this session, expert panelists from the education ecosystem will explore how these chatbots can be leveraged to transform teaching and learning. Attendees will have the chance to learn how advanced tools can bridge critical educational gaps and ensure more learners receive the targeted support they need to succeed.
Building and Broadening the Education R&D Enterprise
To generate greater impact, our research and development ecosystem must widen access to funding and invest in diversifying the R&D professional workforce. From expanding support for the R&D participation of Historically Black Colleges & Universities and other minority-serving institutions to tackling the barriers preventing the development of a more inclusive ecosystem, this session will highlight policy solutions that expand the perspectives represented in the education R&D process.
Leading School Systems with Evidence and Innovation
Evidence-based solutions that take into account community needs are crucial for accelerating student learning, and the key to making more data-driven interventions possible is building talent and infrastructure at the state and local levels. Join district and school system leaders on this panel as they share policy recommendations for strengthening education R&D capacity and break down why prioritizing the expansion of state and local R&D infrastructure can fuel targeted impact.
Building Tomorrow Together: Agency Collaboration & Ed R&D
With the rapid pace of technological change, collaboration is vital for fostering 21st-century innovations. In this session, attendees will have the chance to hear from government representatives and education R&D champions about the ways cross-agency collaboration is fueling cutting-edge research and innovation aimed at solving some of the most complex challenges in our education system.
Data-Driven Equity: R&D Platforms for Math Learning
Non-academic indicators of success, like motivation, engagement, and persistence, are important for making math learning accessible to more students and ensuring learners of all backgrounds are able to thrive in the math classroom. Join panelists in this session for insights into the ways innovators are leveraging innovative research platforms and edtech tools to drive student engagement and improve equity in math learning.
Tech-Powered Supports for 21st-Century Teaching
From aiding with lesson planning and grading to providing real-time feedback on instructional practices, advancements in AI offer solutions that can significantly empower educators to improve their teaching and transform the classroom experience. Join this session to learn how AI-powered interventions can ease the day-to-day demands placed on teachers and generate essential teaching insights with the potential to boost student engagement and learning.
Reinventing High School for the 21st Century & Beyond
What should high school look like in the 21st century? Education change leaders and philanthropists in this session will discuss the importance of rethinking the high school experience so that it truly sets learners up for higher education and career success. Join this panel for a look into the innovative approaches and collaborations being implemented to reimagine traditional learning models so that students develop the competencies they need to thrive in the modern world.
AI-Powered PD: Enhancing Teaching, Ensuring Equity
Advancements in AI-driven technologies present a significant opportunity to provide more tailored support and professional development for our teachers. Join this conversation between Bryan Richardson of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Sarah Johnson of the Teaching Lab to learn about the current landscape of AI-driven solutions for educator development and uncover how these tools can drive enhancements in teaching and learning.
