Join us in making HRI 2025 a more sustainable conference by participating in our Social Media Sustainability Challenge! Before and during the conference, complete sustainability-focused tasks, share your experiences on social media, and compete for a chance to win one of two 150 AUD voucher to Mabu Mabu, a celebrated Torres Strait Islander-owned restaurant in Melbourne known for its delicious, locally-sourced, and sustainability-focused cuisine. (https://mabumabu.com.au/?srsltid=AfmBOoqwxdU2H7vYmIR8jI3dE0nvFREaTAnEP0k1x3ZFNXK4ea-eqe_u)
How to participate
- Complete sustainability tasks from the list below before or during the conference.
- Post about your completed task on social media (Twitter or BlueSky) using #SustainableHRI and a brief description or signifier of the task.
- Tag other attendees if they are in your post to make it a group activity (all people will receive credit for that post)!
Competition details
- The competition is open from now until the end of HRI 2025. Some tasks can be done before you arrive at the conference while others must be done at the conference.
- You can complete as many tasks as you like – each valid post counts toward your total.
- The two participants with the most valid posts by the end of the conference will each receive a Mabu Mabu gift card.
- Winners will be announced at the closing ceremony.
Sustainability challenge tasks
Research & Technology
- (T1) Highlight a Research Paper – Share a sustainability-focused research paper or project presented at the conference.
- (T2) Robot Sustainability Rating – Post your own “sustainability rating” of a robot or project you encounter at the conference (e.g., how it contributes to eco-friendly practices or whether it has been designed and built sustainably).
- (T3) Collaboration and inclusivity – share a research paper or project that promoted inclusivity of typically under-represented groups
- (T4) Longevity – share a research paper or project that was built to last and be used long-term
- (T5) Economic impact – share a research paper or project that showed the potential of robotics to drive equitable economic growth
Transportation
- (T6) Use Public Transit or Carpool – Share a picture of how you traveled sustainably during the conference.
- (T7) Track Your Steps – Post a screenshot of how many steps you walked to avoid car rides during the conference.
Food & Waste Reduction
- (T8) Eat a Plant-Based Meal – Post about choosing a vegetarian or vegan meal during the conference.
- (T9) Avoid Food Waste – Share a picture of your empty plate after eating all your food at a conference meal.
- (T10) Zero-Waste Snack – Share a picture of a snack you brought or bought with no packaging waste.
Awareness & Advocacy
- (T11) Highlight a Green Initiative – Share information about a sustainability-focused initiative from your hometown, university, or company.
- (T12) Capture Green Spaces: Share a picture of any eco-friendly or green space near the conference venue.
- (T13) Promote a Local Sustainable Business – Visit a Melbourne business that supports sustainability (e.g., a green café, eco-friendly shop).
- (T14) Spotlight a Conference Buddy – Partner with another attendee and post about their sustainability efforts, highlighting their creativity or initiative.
- (T15) Pledge for Sustainability – Post about one action you’ll take for sustainability after the conference.
- (T16) Share Your Vision – Post about what sustainability within HRI means to you. Include suggestions for how the field can improve its sustainability efforts.
- (T17) Future Earth Vision – Share a one-sentence vision of how HRI can help make the planet more sustainable by 2050.
Creative & Fun Challenges
- (T18) Sustainability Selfie – Take a selfie with a sustainability-related display or sign at the conference.
- (T19) Create a Sustainability Meme – Post a funny or insightful meme about sustainability and HRI.
- (T20) Inspire with Art – Create and post a sketch, doodle, or digital art piece inspired by sustainability and HRI.
Let’s work together to make HRI 2025 a model for sustainable conferencing. Start posting with #SustainableHRI today and inspire change one small action at a time!