METM25 presentation

The sustainable language professional: interactive idea-sharing session

Maighread Gallagher-Gambarelli, Grenoble, France; Mary Savage, Vilafranca, Spain; Mary Murphy, Berlin, Germany; Susannah Goss, Berlin, Germany

Wondering how to optimise your work environment to reduce your ecological impact? Which criteria to consider when choosing digital tools and investing in hardware? Curious about best practices for remote collaboration? And how to avoid overwhelm?

We need to think about sustainability, but we also need to make it part of our business mindset. In this interactive session, share your ideas on how to make your work more sustainable in the broadest sense. You might even pick up a sustainability buddy.

How does it work?

This session will focus on adapting how we work to make our businesses more financially, personally and environmentally sustainable – aiming for “happy sobriety” and incremental changes that are easy to stick to.

After a brief introduction, the session hosts will split attendees into small groups. The groups will then tackle topics such as how to select the right tools for you and the planet before comparing notes in a quick-fire feedback round. Each group will share their ideas and resources with the room. A shareable living legacy document will be produced after the session.

Who should attend?

Anyone with concerns about sustainability, from seasoned zero-wasters to green-curious language professionals with fresh ideas; anyone needing reassurance that we language professionals are still ahead of the curve; anyone trying to stay sane and healthy while eating, sleeping and working in the same space; and anyone seeking a bit of optimism in these dismal times. We will talk about all aspects of sustainability and welcome diverse viewpoints. The session aims to be non-divisive, fun, and fast-paced. The format may not suit you if you’re noise-sensitive, but we hope to include as many perspectives as possible.

What will you need?

Pen and paper or an electronic device (one per group) and your creative solutions.
[Read a member's review of the session.]

About the presenters

	Maighread Gallagher-Gambarelli has been translating and editing scientific content for 15 years. She has long been interested in sustainability generally, and in 2024 worked with other solopreneurs on social and environmental responsibility for very small businesses. She firmly believes in thinking about sustainability as a positive and empowering choice.
	Mary Savage recently semi-retired after a forty-year career as a translator, editor and English teacher. She has a long-standing interest in sustainability and lives off grid on a mountainside in Spain.
	Mary Murphy is a semi-retired translator based in Berlin. She has several decades of experience working as a freelance translator and in a corporate setting. She’s trying not to drown in the digital deluge we are currently confronted with.
	Susannah Goss is a scientific editor at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Berlin. Since earning her Brownie thrift badge for upcycling an empty yogurt pot into a string dispenser, she’s been trying to work out which sustainability practices really make a difference and which are just noise.