FAQs

 

My question is not listed here. Whom do I contact?

Please email obconf@berkeley.edu for assistance.

What is the Othering & Belonging Conference?

The Othering & Belonging Conferences are unique gatherings of people who share a commitment to advancing more fair and inclusive societies. The conference provides a focused space to forge stronger connections and build alignment for the ideas, structures, and policies that we need to create change at scale and with the urgency that all of our work, and our living planet, demands. 

What does othering & belonging mean?

OBI developed the framework of othering and belonging as a clarifying analysis that can better address the many expressions of prejudice against groups, what elements are made salient or manipulated relative to context and place, and which help to illuminate a set of common narratives, policies, and strategies that can mitigate inequality, hate, exclusion, and marginality.

However, the othering and belonging framework is not merely meant to be merely conceptual; rather, it is designed to be applied in a way that can inform policy, shift public discourse, strengthen our movements, influence pedagogy, and deliver a set of best practices and values for expanding our circle of human concern.

Who organizes the O&B conferences?

The conference is organized by the Othering & Belonging Institute (OBI) at the University of California, Berkeley. 

OBI is a social science research institute with more than 75 affiliated scholars engaged in rigorous research on topics related to marginality, including race, poverty, disability, education, religious pluralism, democracy, public health, and other dynamics that either prohibit or advance inclusion and opportunity. 

OBI has a robust staff of in-house researchers, strategic communicators, visiting scholars, and students who work under the leadership of john a. powell, its founding director. Formerly the Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society, the Institute was renamed in 2019 to reflect its vision of othering and belonging as a central framework that influences and guides our work.

OBI’s work to address systemic inclusion and exclusion is based upon a deep and long-term understanding of the socio, economic, political, and ontological forces shaping the contours of societies. This work is informed by research, analysis, policy, strategic communications, and community and government work.

Who attends the O&B conferences?

Participants are drawn from a wide variety of sectors, disciplines, and geographies, including researchers and academics, educators, policymakers, community and youth activists, social movement leaders, grantmakers, artists, faith leaders, and community members interested in exploring belonging as a lens from which to catalyze their work, and connecting with others in the larger social change ecosystem.

Who has spoken at O&B?  

Past Othering & Belonging speakers include:bell hooks, Naomi Klein, Rev. William Barber III, Andrew Solomon, Tarrell Alvin McCraney, LaToya Ruby Frazier, Rachel Kaadzi Ghansah, Masha Gessen, Ai-jen Poo, Desmond Meade, Alexis McGill Johnson, Alicia Garza, Zephyr Teachout, Tara Houska, Rashad Robinson, Kumi Naidoo, Bertha Zúñiga Cáceres, Michael Bennett, Linda Sarsour, Marshall Ganz, Dorian Warren, Saskia Sassen, Jeffrey Sachs, Charles Blow, Melissa Harris-Perry, Haben Girma, Manuel Pastor, Angela Glover Blackwell, Jeff Chang, Saru Jayaraman, Casey Camp-Horinek, Guillermo Gómez-Peña, Supaman (Christian Takes Gun Parrish), Dawn-Lyen Gardner, Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson, among dozens of others. In addition, our breakout and workshop sessions have been conducted by students,  scholars, artists, activists, and public intellectuals from a wide range of backgrounds and disciplines. 

What kind of sessions are offered?

In our first three conference we offered a mix of mainstage keynote talks, panel discussions, and performances, and concurrent breakout sessions. In addition, the conference hosts a popular book table and expo area which includes commissioned artist exhibits, screen printing workshops, and other unique offerings. 

Why is the conference in Louisville?

The Othering & Belonging Institute is embarking on our “moonshot” goal of making belonging without othering a global norm in the next few decades. We believe, and research indicates, that socialization of any framework for change best proliferates through regional and local networks. We have already piloted that premise by organizing a conference in Berlin where we have partnerships and work through our Democracy & Belonging Forum. We chose Louisville, Kentucky, as the site of our 2026 conference in order to deepen our network-forward strategy, learn from regional contexts and leaders, and be responsive to many who have asked if we could bring the conference to other parts of the US. Louisville was chosen due to existing work and the depth of our relationships in the region, including the enthusiasm and willingness of local leaders to help curate a gathering related to belonging in Kentucky. We continue to host regular events in the Bay Area and at UC Berkeley, and our conference proceedings are made available to the general public through our YouTube channel.

What are O&B26' goals?

Some of the goals we have prioritized for 2026 include:

  • Attendees leave with purpose, inspiration, and actionable ways to secure an inclusive, pluralistic democracy in the US and globally

  • The conference provides a coherent, compelling vision of belonging without othering, and the concrete tools and connections to help advance it

  • Attendees leave with a deeper understanding of economic and material belonging and the threat of extreme inequality

  • Participants are provided with a robust understanding of how bridging strengthens democracy, and conference sessions provide ways to practice it

  • Clear lessons are gleaned from Kentucky, the US South, and regional movements and leaders on struggles against structural marginalization

  • Relationships, networks, and partnerships are nurtured in ways that can be sustained beyond the conference

What is the cost to attend?

Find pricing on our Registration and Venue page.

Will the conference be livestreamed?

At this time, we are not anticipating livestreaming the 2026 conference. We are designing O&B26 as an in-person event with an emphasis on strengthening our networks and facilitating real-time, collective meaning-making together. As part of OBI's continued commitment to accessibility and learning, video recordings from our mainstage sessions will be made available shortly after the conference in our extensive O&B conference video library. We hope you are able to be part of O&B26 in Louisville, register here.

Can I volunteer/Are you taking volunteers?

At this time O&B26 does not anticipate it will have volunteer opportunities available. If this changes, we will announce it through our e-newsletter, so be sure to sign up here. 

Do you offer scholarships?

Yes, O&B26 will once again offer scholarships to attend our conference. The scholarship application link will open on November 1, 2025. If the link is active, we still have scholarships available. If your application is accepted, there will be a $35 processing fee. Scholarships will be for the cost of registration only. Recipients will be responsible for coordinating their own travel to and lodging during the conference. The form will be available on our conference website and announced through our e-newsletter (sign up here). We are proud to be able to continue our commitment to offer a significant number of scholarships thanks to the generosity of our donors. If your organization or business is interested in sponsoring O&B26 and facilitating access for those otherwise not able to afford the full conference fee, please contact Puanani Forbes at pforbes@berkeley.edu.