Details for the 2026 event will be available soon.
The NAIS Emergent Design Lab (EDL) is a leadership and professional development experience that encourages participants to use and share design principles, action research, collaborative skill-building, and best and emerging practices. Together we develop innovative solutions and models that independent schools can use to address challenges and opportunities related to inclusion and social responsibility inside and out of the classroom.
Emergent design is a human-centered, constructivist approach to planning and development. Emergent design seeks to adapt and respond to a project’s unique environmental conditions, rather than forcing implementation of a standardized or static planning approach. Emergent design invites participation by those most impacted by any change envisioned to better plan and respond to challenges and opportunities in informed and collaborative ways.
Audience
EDL designers recommend participants register in school teams, if possible. Teams can consist of:
- Heads of school
- Division heads
- Senior administrators
- Diversity directors and educators
- Student support staff
- HR professionals
For Reference Only: 2025 Registration Information
Registration for the 2025 NAIS Emergent Design Lab is now closed.
| Registration Pricing | Early Bird Pricing (Through 4/29) | Standard Pricing (On or After 4/30) |
| Member Price | $1,575 | $1,800 |
| Nonmember Price* | $2,050 | $2,275 |
*Contact us for more information about the benefits of NAIS membership, including discounted event pricing.
Hotel Accommodations
NAIS has reserved a block of rooms at the discounted rate of $189/night (plus tax) at the St. Gregory Hotel (2033 M St. NW, Washington, DC 20036). Book your room here by June 13 to get the discounted rate. The institute takes place at NAIS Headquarters, a short walk from the St. Gregory Hotel.
Schedule
Please plan to arrive at the NAIS Headquarters by 8:30 AM ET on July 8 (breakfast will be available beginning at 7:45 AM ET) and depart no earlier than 4:30 PM ET on July 9.
DAY 1
- 9:00 – 9:15 AM: Introductions, overview, and goal setting
- 9:15 – 10:15 AM (with break): Background of legal concepts; Constitutional law: Title VII and executive orders
- 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Inclusion in the context of the new legal landscape
- 1:00 – 2:15 PM: Deep dives into inclusion case studies and the law
- 2:30 – 4:00 PM: Uncovering Talent
- 4:00 – 4:30 PM: Debrief and Q&A
DAY 2
- 9:00 – 9:15 AM: Overview of the Allyship curriculum
- 9:15 – 11:15 AM (with break): Principles 1-3: The Ally’s Guide to Resilience and Curiosity
- 11:15 AM – 1:15 PM: Principles 4-5: The Ally’s Guide to Disagreements and Apologies
- 2:15 – 4:15 PM: Principles 6-7: Allyship for All: The Empathy Triangle
- 4:15 – 4:30 PM: Q&A and closing
2025 Faculty
- Kenji Yoshino, Chief Justice Earl Warren Professor of Constitutional Law, New York University School of Law
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations must be received in writing at institutes@nais.org. Cancellations received up to 30 days before the program's start date (June 8) will be fully refunded, less a $75 administrative fee. Cancellations received less than 30 days prior to the program will not be refunded.
Contact Information
Please contact institutes@nais.org or 202-973-9700 with any questions.