Climate change is the defining socio-economic force of the 21st century. The Mary Robinson Climate Conference is an inclusive multidisciplinary forum bringing together voices from all sectors of academia and society to share climate experiences and discuss pathways for a sustainable future.
Guidelines For Session Proposals
All sessions run for 50 minutes and are held in auditoriums, lecture halls, board rooms, and open spaces in Ballina, Co. Mayo.
Types of sessions at the Mary Robinson Climate Conference 2023:
We welcome presentations, discussions, roundtables, and workshops related to the impact of Climate Change on the Physical, Social, Cultural, Political, and Economic Environments of our planet. Plausible pathways to addressing these impacts are also welcomed.
How to submit a proposal:
Proposals may ONLY be submitted via our online submission form hosted on Oxford Abstracts. Please note that you will have to register as a user in the Oxford Abstracts system in order to submit session proposals. You will be able to edit your proposal at any time until the deadline on February 15th, 2023.
Proposals must include the following:
Types of sessions at the Mary Robinson Climate Conference 2023:
We welcome presentations, discussions, roundtables, and workshops related to the impact of Climate Change on the Physical, Social, Cultural, Political, and Economic Environments of our planet. Plausible pathways to addressing these impacts are also welcomed.
How to submit a proposal:
Proposals may ONLY be submitted via our online submission form hosted on Oxford Abstracts. Please note that you will have to register as a user in the Oxford Abstracts system in order to submit session proposals. You will be able to edit your proposal at any time until the deadline on February 15th, 2023.
Proposals must include the following:
- The session's proposed name (86 characters maximum)
- Organising body/bodies
- Contact person
- Promotional description of the session (150 words max)
- Description of the session for the review process
- List of speakers and speaker topics/titles
- Any special requirements
- Affiliated websites.
Important information
At least half of the proposed speakers must be confirmed as willing and able to speak at the Conference by the time of submission. As an open, democratic forum, the Mary Robinson Climate Conference requires sessions to include time for Q&A and/or other forms of audience involvement. We therefore recommend 3, and at most 4, speakers per session (5–10 minutes per speaker).
Organisers of accepted sessions will be asked to have all their speakers fill out an online speaker information sheet. The speaker information sheet includes providing a short bio (max. 200 words) and a headshot (240x240px). Speaker information sheets must be completed before May 31st, 2023.
While there is no fee for organising sessions at the Mary Robinson Climate Conference, organisers and speakers are responsible for their own travel and accommodation, as well as the applicable registration fee for participation.
At least half of the proposed speakers must be confirmed as willing and able to speak at the Conference by the time of submission. As an open, democratic forum, the Mary Robinson Climate Conference requires sessions to include time for Q&A and/or other forms of audience involvement. We therefore recommend 3, and at most 4, speakers per session (5–10 minutes per speaker).
Organisers of accepted sessions will be asked to have all their speakers fill out an online speaker information sheet. The speaker information sheet includes providing a short bio (max. 200 words) and a headshot (240x240px). Speaker information sheets must be completed before May 31st, 2023.
While there is no fee for organising sessions at the Mary Robinson Climate Conference, organisers and speakers are responsible for their own travel and accommodation, as well as the applicable registration fee for participation.
Criteria
Governments, institutions, organisations, universities, think tanks, companies, and other such bodies are eligible to submit proposals. Individuals may not submit proposals without institutional affiliation/support.
Proposals must describe the session's relevance to Climate Change, including its contribution to increased knowledge or awareness of Climate-related issues.
Diversity among speaker backgrounds, affiliations, and nationality is encouraged.
Any questions may be directed to climate.conference@universityofgalway.ie.
Governments, institutions, organisations, universities, think tanks, companies, and other such bodies are eligible to submit proposals. Individuals may not submit proposals without institutional affiliation/support.
Proposals must describe the session's relevance to Climate Change, including its contribution to increased knowledge or awareness of Climate-related issues.
Diversity among speaker backgrounds, affiliations, and nationality is encouraged.
Any questions may be directed to climate.conference@universityofgalway.ie.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Topics should the Sessions cover?
Sessions can cover any topic that is relevant to Climate Change. Please find below a non-exclusive list of broad topics for session submissions:
Climate Education and Literacy
Community Driven Advocacy: Case Studies
Climate Equality and Justice
Nature Based Solutions: Case Studies
The Ocean
Climate Technology & Innovation
Climate Change and Young People
Climate Change and Land Use
Artists and Culture in a Changing Climate
The Blue economy / The Circular economy
Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform
Climate Migrations
Climate Adaptation and Resilience
Climate Innovation
Ireland and Future Climate Change
Gender and Climate Change
Geopolitics: Old and New Questions
Climate Changemakers
Encouraging Bold Climate Action
Urgent Messages from Climate Science Leaders
Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation in Climate Research
Tackling Biodiversity Loss and Climate Change
Cultural Responses to Environmental Change
Transport Infrastructures and Sustainable Communities
What if another Organisation is presenting on a similar topic?
The Conference Organisers will make every effort to make sure that presentations on similar topics will not be scheduled at the same time to encourage participation in both sessions. When appropriate, the organisers may also encourage organisations to coordinate sessions together.
When will I know if my Session has been accepted?
The first round of accepted sessions will be notified within 4 weeks of the proposal submission deadline. A small minority of sessions will be accepted later, subject to space availability.
What formats can the Sessions take?
Sessions can take various forms such as:
Announcements and presentations
Press conferences
Open or moderated dialogues
Forum debates
Workshops and interactive sessions
Townhall meetings
Panel discussions
Small group forums
Please note that as an open, democratic forum, the Mary Robinson Climate Conference requires sessions to include time for Q&A and/or other forms of audience involvement.
How can I promote my Session?
Sessions submitted by the deadline will be promoted on the Mary Robinson Climate Conference social media and by the University of Galway in the months leading up to the Conference. During the Conference, sessions will be promoted in the Conference program. You are welcome to tag #MRClimateConference in your posts and use the #MRClimateConference when promoting your session on Social Media.
Is there a fee for organising a Session at the Mary Robinson Climate Conference?
There is no fee for organising Sessions at the Mary Robinson Climate Conference, but organisers and speakers are responsible for their own travel and accommodation, as well as the applicable registration fee for participation. Organisers interested in having their sessions recorded, or who have other special requests, should liaise with the Conference Coordinators to explore feasible options but may need to cover associated costs separately.
Can my Session be scheduled for a specific day?
Due to the complexity of scheduling multiple sessions and the number of scheduling requests received, session speakers should prepare to attend both days of the Conference. The coordinators take all requests into account but cannot guarantee that they will be accommodated.
Which Topics should the Sessions cover?
Sessions can cover any topic that is relevant to Climate Change. Please find below a non-exclusive list of broad topics for session submissions:
Climate Education and Literacy
Community Driven Advocacy: Case Studies
Climate Equality and Justice
Nature Based Solutions: Case Studies
The Ocean
Climate Technology & Innovation
Climate Change and Young People
Climate Change and Land Use
Artists and Culture in a Changing Climate
The Blue economy / The Circular economy
Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform
Climate Migrations
Climate Adaptation and Resilience
Climate Innovation
Ireland and Future Climate Change
Gender and Climate Change
Geopolitics: Old and New Questions
Climate Changemakers
Encouraging Bold Climate Action
Urgent Messages from Climate Science Leaders
Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation in Climate Research
Tackling Biodiversity Loss and Climate Change
Cultural Responses to Environmental Change
Transport Infrastructures and Sustainable Communities
What if another Organisation is presenting on a similar topic?
The Conference Organisers will make every effort to make sure that presentations on similar topics will not be scheduled at the same time to encourage participation in both sessions. When appropriate, the organisers may also encourage organisations to coordinate sessions together.
When will I know if my Session has been accepted?
The first round of accepted sessions will be notified within 4 weeks of the proposal submission deadline. A small minority of sessions will be accepted later, subject to space availability.
What formats can the Sessions take?
Sessions can take various forms such as:
Announcements and presentations
Press conferences
Open or moderated dialogues
Forum debates
Workshops and interactive sessions
Townhall meetings
Panel discussions
Small group forums
Please note that as an open, democratic forum, the Mary Robinson Climate Conference requires sessions to include time for Q&A and/or other forms of audience involvement.
How can I promote my Session?
Sessions submitted by the deadline will be promoted on the Mary Robinson Climate Conference social media and by the University of Galway in the months leading up to the Conference. During the Conference, sessions will be promoted in the Conference program. You are welcome to tag #MRClimateConference in your posts and use the #MRClimateConference when promoting your session on Social Media.
Is there a fee for organising a Session at the Mary Robinson Climate Conference?
There is no fee for organising Sessions at the Mary Robinson Climate Conference, but organisers and speakers are responsible for their own travel and accommodation, as well as the applicable registration fee for participation. Organisers interested in having their sessions recorded, or who have other special requests, should liaise with the Conference Coordinators to explore feasible options but may need to cover associated costs separately.
Can my Session be scheduled for a specific day?
Due to the complexity of scheduling multiple sessions and the number of scheduling requests received, session speakers should prepare to attend both days of the Conference. The coordinators take all requests into account but cannot guarantee that they will be accommodated.
