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Call for Symposia

Read the call for symposia guidelines below and submit your proposal by October 14, 2025.

Submit a Symposium

Call for Symposium Proposals – GC&E Conference

The Green Chemistry & Engineering (GC&E) Conference and International Conference on Green and Sustainable Chemistry (ICGSC) Organizing Committee invites proposals for symposia that reflect the evolving landscape of green and sustainable chemistry and engineering. We seek sessions that are scientifically rigorous, thoughtfully designed, and aligned with the 2026 conference theme.

Conference Theme

Each year, the conference evolves, incorporating new ideas while maintaining its 30-year legacy. Its vision is for green and sustainable chemistry to be integral to all scientific endeavors, providing solutions that move beyond the lab to drive sustainable change at scale. For this reason, next year’s conference theme will be  “Building the Future: Sustainable Chemistry for Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure”  to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 9.

In 2015, the United Nations issued a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all by 2030. This framework, known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), comprises 17 aspirational goals adopted by governments, industries, and organizations worldwide. To support the advancement of these goals, the GC&E Conference will focus on how green chemistry and engineering can address these global sustainability challenges in the coming years. This year’s theme,  will showcase innovative research and cross-cutting topics in green and sustainable chemistry and engineering, with an emphasis on symposia that explore industrial transformation, resilient infrastructure, responsible innovation, and the reduction of hazardous chemical pollution to advance worker safety, product safety, and healthier communities—especially those most impacted—in pursuit of a more sustainable future for all.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

The Conference Organizing Committee seeks proposals that:

  • Are scientifically grounded, avoiding vague or unsubstantiated claims. Clearly articulate how the session contributes to advancing green and sustainable chemistry and engineering, using metrics and data where possible.
  • Present diverse perspectives from scientists engaged in fundamental research, industrial scientists, business leaders, educators, students, government, NGOs, etc. *Note: We encourage co-presented sessions that pair academic researchers with industry scientists & engineers to highlight real-world applications and successful partnerships. *
  • Deliver creatively designed sessions that are highly interactive/engaging and support structured networking opportunities within your session (e.g., facilitate lively discussion, open forums, and/or panel, and include sufficient time for Q&A).
  • Leave attendees with practical takeaways they can apply in their own work, research, or teaching.
  • Prioritize industry-academia collaboration, with preference given to sessions that meaningfully incorporate co-presented talks, mixed- sector panels, and cross-sector and stakeholder dialogue.

Conference Tracks:

  • Synthesis & Catalysis
  • Circularity of Chemicals and Materials
  • Sustainable Product Design
  • Chemistry Education(Includes EJ)
  • Polymers
  • Green Energy & Fuels
  • Sustainable Process Design
  • Engineering
  • Collaborative & Inclusive Practice for Communities (Includes EJ)

Proposal Requirements

Each proposal should include:

  • Session Rationale (≤ 500 words)

    1. Describe the need for this session at GC&E. Avoid generic language—focus on specific challenges, opportunities, or knowledge gaps your session will address.

  • Practice Gaps & Impact

    Identify the current limitations in the field and how your session will help close those gaps. Emphasize measurable or observable outcomes.
  1. Speakers & Topics
    List proposed speakers (with affiliations), anticipated presentation topics, and the balance of invited vs. contributed talks. Describe how you will ensure inclusion and belonging in your speaker selection (see Inclusion & Belonging Statement below).
  2. Session Format & Interactivity
    Explain how you will foster engagement. We encourage formats that go beyond traditional lectures—think panels, roundtables, or collaborative problem-solving. 
  3. Session Title
    Propose a clear, specific, original, succinct, and thoughtfully crafted title that is compelling, and avoidoveruse of  terms like “green,”   “innovation,” or “advancement.” Titles should reflect the unique focus of the session and help distinguish it from others.

Originality & Thoughtful Communication

We value proposals that reflect authentic insight, scientific integrity, and clear, intentional language. To ensure high-quality contributions, please keep the following in mind:

Responsible Use of AI

  • AI tools may be used to support writing (e.g., grammar, structure, or phrasing), but AI-generated content must not exceed 15% of the total submission .
  • Proposals should reflect original thought, research, and expertise. Submissions that rely heavily on AI without critical review or personal contribution will be flagged .

Avoiding Buzzwords & Greenwashing

  • Use precise, meaningful language that reflects your research and its impact. You don’t need to repeat terms from the conference theme, focus on what best represents your work, while making clear connections to the theme or to broader issues in green and sustainable chemistry.
  • Refrain from vague claims of “advancement” or “impact” without context or measurable outcomes.
  • Avoid language that could be perceived as greenwashing—i.e., overstating environmental benefits without scientific justification.

Submission & Review Process

  • Deadline: October 14, 2025
  • Notification: November 2025

Proposals will be reviewed and considered using the following criteria:

  • Topic meets the definition of green and sustainable chemistry or engineering.
  • Topic supports the conference theme of: “Building the Future: Sustainable Chemistry for Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure” or fills gaps in current practice to advance green and sustainable chemistry or engineering.
  • Proposed session is innovative and forward-thinking in advancing green and sustainable chemistry and engineering.
  • Diversity of proposed speakers and organizers (See Inclusion and Belonging statement below).
  • Number of proposals submitted by a given organizer. Organizers may be involved in a maximum of 2 sessions.
  • Topic overlap with other submitted proposals.
  • Available meeting space.

Green Chemistry & Engineering (GC&E) Conference Inclusion & Belonging Statement

Inclusion & Belonging are core values of the American Chemical Society (ACS) and the ACS Green Chemistry Institute. We believe in the power of and respect for all chemists. The multitude of people, backgrounds, experiences, and ideas lead to superior solutions to world challenges and advances chemistry as a global, multidisciplinary science.  We are committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and diverse conference environment. All GC&E participants are expected to treat others with respect to facilitate open dialogue and effective discussions. For more guidance refer to the Volunteer & Participant Code of Conduct. 

We ask that symposium organizers be mindful of the following guidelines as they are finalizing their speaker lists for GC&E:

  • Feature speakers from a variety of geographic regions, career stages, and institution types.
  • Incorporate multiple stakeholder perspectives (i.e. academia, industry, policymakers, community members, etc.), where appropriate.