5th Annual STEM Inclusion Summit

We Are the SEA Change: Building Community in STEM

When?

Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026

Where?

Senita Ballroom, Student Pavilion, Arizona State University

Who should attend?

Faculty, staff, graduate students, undergraduate students who are passionate about advancing inclusion in STEM

Join us for the 5th Annual STEM Inclusion Summit

A day dedicated to connection, collaboration and collective action in STEM and focused on building community in STEM.

This summit brings together researchers, educators, students, support staff, and advocates across all ASU campuses to explore how we advance inclusion in STEM—not as individuals working in isolation, but learning from each other and working together. This year’s theme asks how we can build community across campuses in and outside classrooms.

This is a venue to learn about what is happening across ASU campuses, and to share what you are doing and what you have learned. Education researchers who want to impact practice and policy can report on their findings that have implications for inclusion. Student support specialists and instructors can share their biggest concerns for inclusion based on their interactions with students. Administrators, program directors and students can broaden awareness about existing programs that are having an impact.

We have three formats for presentations: posters, table talks, and lightning talks.

Presenters will submit a title, brief abstract (500 words), and preferred method of presentation. Submission deadline for lighting talks is Oct. 16. Submission deadline for poster presentations and table talks is Oct. 23.

By coming to the summit, you can make an impact. ASU's AAAS SEA CHANGE initiative is working on concrete ways to make ASU more inclusive and we are using this summit to generate ideas.

What to expect

Morning session:
Welcome remarks and introduction to SEA CHANGE. Share, learn, and connect: Lighting talks, poster presentations, and table talks provide three different formats for you to share and learn in a way that works best for you.

Lunch

Afternoon session:
We will split up into optional working groups that will build on the morning session to consider specific challenges and brainstorm solutions that will be reported back to the SEA CHANGE advisory committee. This is optional, but a chance to actually contribute to the dialogue that will influence how ASU works towards inclusion. Working groups will include student listening sessions, opportunities for faculty to discuss best practices in teaching, and learning what resources would help student advising.

Summit Schedule

Morning Session

Morning Session 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

9 - 10 a.m.

Welcome, Featured Speakers and Lightening Talks (Part 1)

Set the stage for our day together. Learn what ASU is doing to build and support inclusive STEM communities at ASU, about SEA CHANGE and how today's conversation connects to ASU's broader work in inclusion.

10 - 11:30 a.m.

Poster Sessions and Table Talks

Two simultaneous formats to choose from. Explore research, initiatives, and programs on display and engage with presenters. Or join deep-dive conversations with attendees at your table.

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Lightening Talks (Part 2)

Share what you're doing and learn from peers. Lightning talks offer quick insights from researchers, educators, administrators, and students on research findings, programs, and initiatives.

Afternoon Session

Afternoon Session 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.

12:30 - 1:45 p.m.

Networking Lunch

Connect with researchers, educators, administrators, and students over lunch. Continue conversations from the morning or start new ones.

1:45 - 3:30 p.m.

Working Groups

Move from conversation to action. Working groups identify specific challenges, brainstorm evidence-based solutions drawing from peer institutions and collective expertise, and refine recommendations over the following week. Your input will be reported back to the SEA CHANGE advisory committee—this is your chance to contribute to the dialogue that will influence how ASU works towards their Silver designation for SEA Change.

Supported by

Questions?

For more information about participation, partnership opportunities or accessibility needs, contact the Office of Inclusive Excellence, [email protected].