Presentation Abstract Submission

The Philosophy of Education Society of Australasia (PESA) invites abstract submissions for the PESA Conference 2025. The conference will be held in person from Sunday 7 December to Wednesday 10 December, 2025 at Edith Cowan University (Joondalup Campus), Perth, Western Australia.

We invite abstract submissions for the following:

The Planning Committee invites submissions related to the conference theme, Philosophy of Education and Global Challenges. In an increasingly pluralistic, post-truth, post-reality and divided world, the question of what constitutes reasoned deliberation and its place in the world becomes critical. Furthermore, in a world facing several human-induced existential problems—climate change, the ethical challenges of AI, populism, and a general decline in ethical and reasoned discourse—it is crucial to think about what it might mean to equip young people to confront and live with these issues.

Submissions are invited that explore the role of philosophy and philosophical discussions in schools and higher education.  All submissions should have a philosophical bearing on education, including reflections on philosophical issues related to education, and philosophical analyses of educational theories, or current research on educational policy or practice.

The 2025 PESA Conference will provide the opportunity to present, debate and discuss the relationship between philosophy and education in the company of old friends and those new to the PESA family.

 

Guiding Question

How can philosophical discussions in education support young people to form coherent and ethical responses to the existential threats facing the world today?

What does philosophy contribute to learning and living in a world facing existential, political and institutional threats?

 

Conference Topics

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

  • Environmental ethics in education

  • The role of technology and AI in shaping ethical thinking

  • Navigating populism and the erosion of ethical principles

  • Existential dread and philosophical education

  • Indigenous Knowledge and environmental wisdom

  • Asian approaches to environmental education

  • The challenges of addressing controversial issues of global relevance in schools and higher education settings.

    Please use the relevant abstract template found here

    Please email abstracts to conference@pesa.org.au by 23rd June 2025.

Call for Contributions

Philosophy of Education and Global Challenges

Interested in becoming a PESA Member?
Find information about PESA membership here

 

For conference enquiries: 

conference@pesa.org.au

  • Standard Paper presentations allow 20 minutes for presentation and 10 minutes for questions. Papers will be scheduled in 90-minute sessions in which three papers on similar themes will be presented. Please write an abstract of 250 words, with no citations or references.

  • Full Paper option. Two papers will be scheduled in 90-minute sessions in which the presentation time will be 20 minutes with 25 minutes for discussion. Please write an abstract of 600 words (excl. references). Papers will be posted to the Conference website two weeks prior to the Conference so that those attending have an opportunity to consider points for discussion prior to presentation.

  • Poster Presentation. Posters are graphical presentations. Posters must be printed in A1 size (594x841 mm) in portrait or landscape format. Please write an abstract of 250 words, with no citations or references. Posters should be on display from Monday morning till Wednesday lunch. Presenters are asked to hang their poster in the Poster Exhibition Area (the lecture theatre foyer) by 9am Monday morning. Poster authors will be provided a programme slot to discuss their poster and answer questions.

  • Panel Discussions (‘Spotlight Panels’) address a common theme or topic. The panel consists of three members and a facilitator. Please write an abstract of 250 words, with no citations or references. Indicate who the panel members and facilitator will be. Presenters will have a 90-minute session, allowing one hour for the presentation and 30 minutes for discussion.

    • Symposia consist of 3 to 4 papers. A discussant is also required. One corresponding author will please provide an overall symposium proposal (250 words, no references) and a 200-word abstract (no references) of each paper. Please indicate who the presenting authors will be. The discussant must also be named on the proposal. Papers of 1500 words each must be provided to the discussant two weeks prior to the conference.