We invite you to reflect, connect, and co-create with us in Banff—where ideas converge, and in depth discussions on participatory design practice for health can occur.
Participate
The submission process has been closed. All accepted participants have been sent an email with registration information. If you have not received email about registration, or have not submitted but are interested to attend, please contact us at: [email protected]
We invite experts to attend who are actively applying participatory design work within health contexts. All interested attendees are asked to submit a 'poster case study' of a current or recent project that utilizes participatory design approaches to share with the group. Posters will be showcased at the event with an opportunity to contribute to a case-study publication following the event.There will be approximately 40 spaces available, including 10 dedicated to students entering the field. Interested participants must submit a poster case study or position/provocation poster for peer-review and acceptance.Students interested in applying to attend will submit a request form rather than a poster case-study.Submission deadline: February 13, 2026Acceptance Notice: March 3, 2026
Submission instructions:General Participants
∙ Submit a poster case study that highlights recent participatory design work in health∙ Use the InDesign template provided and upload a PDF using the primary submission form, or complete the alternative submission form if you are unable to create a poster using InDesign∙ If you need support, please contact us [email protected]
Student Participants
∙ Complete the student participation form by
February 13th.∙ Students who volunteer to support event activities will pay a reduced registration fee of $100. This may include note-taking and photography
during the event.
Travel and
Hotel Information
Registration
Registration will be available following the
acceptance of submissions.Event cost: $425
Event cost for students: $100
Accommodation
Out of town guests are encouraged to fly to Calgary International Airtport (YYC) and then take a shuttle bus to Banff and get dropped off at Hotel Canoe & Suites. It is approximately $60 CDN
All of the events will take place in the Holt Room at the Hotel Canoe & Suites and the Otter Hotel at www.banfflodgingco.com.Address: #1000–600 Banff Ave, Banff AB, T1L 1H8
Food
We will provide a continental breakfast on Days 2, 3, and 4 (Greek yogurt, pastries, assorted breads and cereal, and fruit) and a buffet lunch on day 3, and 4 (small roasted italian and vegetable sandwiches, petit sweets, coffee and tea, tomato and red pepper bisque).Suddenly Sally, is a delicious cafe with great coffee in the lobby of the Otter Hotel, downstairs from the Holt Room. There are many other cafes and restaurants close by on Banff Avenue, within walking distance of the hotel.We will be hosting a Summit Dinner for all participants on Day 1, and an optional group dinner on Day 3.
More info to come.
Acknowledgements
Planning team:
Gillian Harvey, Associate Professor and Director of the Design Health Research Innovation Lab, University of Alberta, CanadaCaylee Raber, Health Design Lab, Emily Carr University of Art and Design, CanadaKate Sellen, George Soulis Chair in Design, Associate Professor, University of Waterloo, Canada and Ontario College of Art and DesignGinetta Salvalaggio. Associate Scientific Director, Inner City Health and Wellness Program, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, CanadaJoe Langley, Principal Research Fellow in Design Research, Lab4Living, Sheffield Hallam University (Department of Art & Design, Art Design & Media Research Centre), UK
KA McKercher, Beyond Sticky NotesPaul Holyoke PhD, Senior Research Scientist, SE Research Centre, Toronto, OntarioMaryam Mallakin, Design Researcher, Health Design Studio, Ontario College of Art and Design, CanadaAnastasia Sukach, Research Associate, Department of Art and Design, University of Alberta, CanadaKalakriti Padmashali Research Assistant, Health Design Lab, Emily Carr University of Art and Design, Canada
Sponsors:
This event is funded by SSHRC, the Department of Art and Design at the University of Alberta, OCAD University, Emily Carr University of Art and Design, University of Waterloo, SE Health, and Burke Group Printers.
