Main Program
“The challenges facing our organizations call for innovation rooted in deep cultural understanding of the people we serve. EPIC is the conference that has helped me the most in learning about the approaches, methods, and frameworks to achieve that understanding.”
ROBIN KWONG, Wall Street Journal
Program Overview
Los Angeles | August 18–21
The 2024 Main Program offers diverse formats to inform, inspire, and challenge us. The detailed program will be available soon; here we invite you to explore the range of sessions being developed by our brilliant and creative program committees. Click here to jump to the high-level schedule for travel planning.
Papers
Peer-reviewed papers drive innovation and debate, offering new frameworks and syntheses that advance ethnography and interdisciplinary collaboration. Presented in Thematic Sessions.
Case Studies
Peer-reviewed case studies showcase ethnographic impact, going “under the hood” to learn from key projects that created value for business, organizations, and communities. Presented in Thematic Sessions.
PechaKucha
This unique storytelling format combines visual and spoken narrative to explore important professional and social issues. Presented in Thematic Sessions.
Interactive Experiences
Real-time, co-creative activities that engage and provoke attendees in a co-creative process.
Artistic Interventions
Explore art that creates new narratives and perspectives to promote critical and generative thinking through a range of media.
Salons
In these lively sessions, take on key topics in small groups with inspiring facilitators. Pre-registration is required.
Keynotes
Luminaries from diverse fields inspire us and provoke us with new perspectives.
Graduate Colloquium
A program for Master’s and PhD students to present their work and explore professional pathways.
Social & Networking
Our Welcome Reception, Conference Dinner, and networking sessions foster warm connections and just plain fun.
Schedule
A detailed schedule of sessions and speakers will be available in May. All of the Main Program, except the Conference Dinner, take place at the Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center. Read about our venues here.
Sunday, Aug 18
8:30–1:30
Graduate Colloquium (by invitation)
Interactive Experiences
1:30–5:30
Panels
Salons
Film
5:00–7:00
Opening Reception!
Artistic Interventions Opening
Monday, Aug 19
Throughout the Day
Artistic Interventions
Interactive Experiences
8:30–9:00
Coffee
9:00–9:30
EPIC2024 Kickoff
9:30–10:30
Keynote
10:30–11:00
Refreshment Break
11:00–12:30
Thematic Sessions
12:30–2:00
Lunch
2:00–5:30
Thematic Sessions
(refreshment break 3:30–4:00)
Tuesday, Aug 20
Throughout the Day
Artistic Interventions
Interactive Experiences
8:30–9:00
Coffee
9:00–9:30
Board Presentation
9:30–10:30
Keynote
10:30–11:00
Refreshment Break
11:00–12:30
Thematic Sessions
12:30–2:00
Lunch
2:00–5:30
Thematic Sessions
Salons
(refreshment break 3:30–4:00)
6:00–9:00
Conference Dinner
$90, buy your ticket with conference registration
Wednesday, Aug 21
8:30–9:00
Coffee
9:00–9:30
Fireside Chat
9:30–10:30
Keynote
11:00–12:00
Panel
12:00–12:30
EPIC2025: The Big Reveal!