Abstracts submission for the first Biophilia Summit is open!

Living Future Europe is excited to announce the call for proposals for our 1st Biophilia Summit, taking place online, June 7, 2023.

The Biophilia Summit is a first of its kind cutting-edge one-day event gathering biophilic lovers from all over Europe and beyond, focused on bringing together the latest research, disciplines and best practices around biophilic topics in the fields of architecture, fashion, art, psychology, leadership and many others. Learning from key players and biophilic advocates the summit will create conversations and advance awareness and practice.

Reconnecting with nature will save our society.” – The Biophilic Society

Are you an advocate for biophilia in architecture, design, art, biology, photography, psychology or any of the areas mentioned below?

Proposals are due Friday, March 31, 2023.

The Biophilia Summit

  • When: 7th June 2023 [time zones will enable presentations from across Europe and the Americas]
  • Where: online
  • Target group: biophilic lovers, architects, designers, psychologists, educators, artists, researchers, consultants, manufacturers, policy makers.
  • Registrations: opening on April 18th
  • Language: English
  • Organisation: The Biophilic Society [a Living Future Europe initiative]
  • Further information: biophilicsociety@living-future.eu

Timeline

February 20, 2023 Call for speakers launch
March 31 (Friday) Deadline for proposals – by 11:59 pm (CEST)
April 6-17 Proposals in review by the Biophilia Summit Committee
April 17 Proposal acceptance* and rejection notifications sent
April 18 Biophilia Summit 2023 Registration opens
May 6 Early Bird registration deadline
May 25 Speakers final presentations submission
June 7 Biophilia Summit 2023

(*) A detailed timeline with additional deadline information will be issued at the time of speaker acceptance. In appreciation of their contribution to the success of Biophilia Summit 2023, accepted speakers are eligible for a complimentary ticket.

Apply submitting your abstract under one the biophilic areas below. Deadline: March 31st 2023.

Urban architecture and biophilic gardens: enhancing nature connectedness. Urban farming and agriculture, and the returning trend to cultivate within cities in order to reconnect with nature, recover awareness of life cycles and reducing the impact of producing and delivering food through industrial processes from afar.

Biophilic design shakes up the conceptual process by asking new questions, provokes new reflections on the potential of the built environment and invites the project team to explore the advantages of a design aimed at the connection between human being and nature. Including interior design and social housing. The Living Building Challenge framework could be a source of inspiration.

Biophilia in art is in crafting art that enhances the reconnection with nature and mental health and well-being. By summoning up the senses and sense experience, and becoming present in and with nature, a pause moment is created, which develops into a more discerning emotional awareness of our wellbeing and that of the ecological world we impact.

Virtual environment can provide an artificial exposure to natural elements, combining biophilic patterns, providing stimuli and multimodal sensorial inputs. This represents an opportunity where real natural experiences are not possible to achieve but also introduces new questions and issues. Including Metaverse.

Showcasing, inspiring, informative, and educational books around the “re-connection to nature” and “love for nature”. Including novels, essays, handbooks, guidelines, booklets.

A biophilic approach is important not only for adults but also for children and teenagers whose physical and mental growth are influenced by the environment around them. Nature is a great teacher, we are calling for educational practices connected to biophilia, promoting wellness, cultural richness, and equity.

Biophilic design in fashion is in creating clothing and accessories that enhance the wearer’s well-being. Connecting them with the natural world, using materials and production methods that are environmentally robust. Increasingly popular as consumers become more aware of the impact of fashion on the natural world and seek more sustainable and healthy clothing options.

The typical organisational environment is hugely disconnected from the natural world and dysfunctional. New learning and skills are required for leaders and executives to achieve key targets. Agile management, awareness, sustainability, empathy, authenticity, openness, are all approaches that we can learn from nature.

Showing the connection with Nature’s intelligence, creating images and videos that enhance well-being through nature images. Photos and videos might be a landscape, a detailed view, or something completely different. Elements and attributes from Stephen R. Kellert’s work could be a source of inspiration.

Products whose primary use will not further disconnect people from nature, with the potential to transform people’s relationship to the natural world or to others in their community through the manufacturing process, informed by the natural world and biomimicry. The Living Product Challenge framework could be a source of inspiration.

The biophilia hypothesis is the idea that humans possess an innate tendency to seek connections with nature and other forms of life. The term biophilia was used by Erich Fromm which in 1973 described biophilia as “the passionate love of life and of all that is alive.” Anecdotal and qualitative evidence suggests that humans are innately attracted to nature.

Latest research around biophilia, biophilic design and health and wellbeing benefits: scientific articles, publications, findings, frameworks, tools.

Application data and documents

To submit your proposal you will be required to include:

  • your data
  • short bio (less than 1.500 characters, included spaces)
  • headshot photo
  • which area you are applying for
  • proposal’s title
  • abstract (less than 2.000 characters, included spaces)
  • attachments (if any)
  • your motivation to be part of the Biophilia Summit 2023

Application requirements and evaluation

Successful applications will

  • Offer a deep understanding of timely and significant content including biophilia implementation case studies, deep dives, and information that can create value and support among the audience.
  • Provide access to sources, data and resources for information and specifications.
  • Present replicable and scalable ideas for a biophilic approach implementation and provide clear takeaways that attendees can implement in their work after the event.
  • Demonstrate qualified and engaging presenters with topic-relevant experience, as evidenced through presenter bios, event speaking experience, and video presentations, whenever available.
  • Include clear, relevant learning objectives and challenging content for an advanced audience.
  • Provide thought leading and creative insights into potential development of biophilic design.

Selected speakers will receive

  • 1 (one) individual complimentary ticket for the whole event
  • excellent visibility in all communication materials
Submit your abstract

[Photo by David Marcu on Unsplash]

The jury

Artificial Intelligence & Technology

Jelena Brajkovic

Books

Martin Brown

Education

Ann Vanner

Management & Leadership

Cristina Larcher

Photography & Film making

Christian Passeri

Product Design

Odile Smith

Psychology & Anthropology

Rita Trombin