The BIG Conference
20th Annual Program
Don't forget to register for the conference so you can access all of our great sessions.
Register NowDon't forget to register for the conference so you can access all of our great sessions.
Register Now8:30 AM - 9:00 AM PDT
Check-in for Conference attendees joining us for the in-person events in Portland. Attendees will be asked to complete a COVID rapid test and Health Questionnaire prior to gaining entry into the event. Link to the Full COVID Policy.
9:00 AM - 10:45 AM PDT
Opening Remarks and PLENARY: From Pilots to Policy
Guaranteed Basic Income Pilots have been a strategic tool in driving the national conversation about the value of direct cash and informing state and federal policy design. This Keynote Discussion will include leaders from the movement who led initial pilots to discuss the history and vision of these programs and how they are informing the next stage, including narrative work, grassroots coalition building, and policy design at the state and federal level. [Livestream]
Speakers: Madeline Neighly, Halah Ahmad, Kathrine Cagat
11:00 AM - 12:15 PM PDT
The Critical Future Work of Pilots
This session will focus on two of the current goals for basic income pilots are targeting growth in over the next year in order to increase overall pilot impact: building long-term local Grassroots and basic income Coalitions, and defining and building the Implementation and Pipelines for Distribution of direct cash. Join AidKit, Steady, Comingle, Income Movement and more for this engaging conversation. [Livestream]
Speakers: Lexi Gervis, Brittany Christenson, Conrad Shaw, Khea Pollard, Stacey Rutland, Josh Worth
11:00 AM - 12:15 PM PDT
Join Max Ghenis and Nikhil Woodruff to learn about the impact of basic income policies on existing benefits using the new PolicyEngine US app. [Recorded]
Speakers: Max Ghenis, Nikhil Woodruff
12:15 PM - 1:30 PM PDT
Explore the neighborhood of food carts and restaurants. Eat out, or bring it back to Leftbank.
1:30 PM - 2:45 PM PDT
Growing Implementation from the Local to the State Level - An Oregon Example
With more than 80 pilots in some stage of development or implementation in the U.S. today, it is critical for the broader movement to map strategies for coalition building at the local pilot level into state level programs and policy. This session will go deep into the work happening across the state of Oregon towards the goal of effective coalition building in support of county and state policy. [Livestream]
Speakers: Antonio Gisbert, Anthony Johnson, Matthew Rasmussen, Mary Li, Anjala Hall, cameron whitten
1:30 PM - 2:45 PM PDT
Bootstraps Docuseries and Filmmaker Q&A
In 2019, Filmmakers Conrad Shaw and Deia Schlosberg organized and led a national universal basic income pilot and filmed the entire process. During this session, audience members will watch the first episode of the docuseries and to ask the filmmakers more about the process for launching the pilot, the impact of the pandemic on their project, and the stories that emerged from filming. [Recorded]
Speakers: Conrad Shaw
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM PDT
Pilots Informing Policy - Case Studies from the Field
A deeper look at a 5-year basic income pilot in New York and a Canadian perspective on how pilots can drive policy change, through the results of the pilots themselves, through the process of implementation, and through the strategic use of these pilots to drive advocacy efforts for the passage of a basic income policy at the municipal, state/province, or federal level. [Livestream]
Speakers: Sid Frankel, Leah Hamilton
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM PDT
Carbon dividends and universal basic income
A carbon dividend is a tax on fossil fuel companies in accordance with their carbon emissions, whose revenue is rebated equally to all members of society. These talks go through the advocacy and the poverty impact of this policy concept. [Recorded]
Speakers: Max Ghenis, Suja Shyam
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM PDT
PLENARY: Building Truth and Empathy: Storytelling and Narrative Change Informing Basic Income Policy
This session will highlight the importance of storytelling and narrative work as we build towards national policy. We will look at existing false narratives, including ideas of deservedness and meritocracy, discuss why addressing these head-on is necessary to achieve broad policy, and highlight specific, practical ways this critical work is being implemented. [Livestream]
Speakers: Jhumpa Battacharya, Kathrine Cagat, Tracy Smith-Carrier, Pierre Madden, Annie Flom, Khea Pollard
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM PDT
Drinks, food, and a chance for speakers and audience members to continue the conversations from the first day of BIG programming. [In-person only]
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM PDT
Sneak Peek of Storming Caesars Palace and Panel
Storming Caesars Palace chronicles the life of Ruby Duncan, a cotton-picker who fights the welfare system and ends up a White House advisor. Ruby led a grassroots movement of mothers who challenged everyday Americans to rethink their notions of the “Welfare Queen” and harmful, false narratives that dehumanize. With Mary Wesley and Alversa Beals, Ruby created the National Welfare Rights Organization and in 1969 they introduce a Basic Income campaign, which, with feminist Gloria Steinem at their side, became part of the Democratic platform in 1972. Join director Hazel Gurland-Pooler as we watch the film and get inspired! [In-person only]
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM PDT
Check-in for Conference attendees joining us for the in-person events in Portland. Attendees will be asked to complete a COVID rapid test and Health Questionnaire prior to gaining entry into the event. Link to the Full COVID Policy.
9:00 AM - 10:15 AM PDT
The distributional impacts of universal basic income policies
UBI policies inevitably transform the distribution of income and wealth. These talks discuss how various policy designs can affect inequality and other distributional outcomes. [Livestream]
Speakers: Nikhil Woodruff, Aleida Baumgartner, Almaz Zelleke
9:00 AM - 10:15 AM PDT
The Health and Mental Health Case for Basic Income: Stories from the Front Line and the Academy
This session includes two papers of 15 minutes each on basic income as a means to prevent health and mental health problems and to improve health and mental health status. In addition there will be 15 minutes for questions and discussion. [Recorded]
Speakers: Sid Frankel, Leslie Kausch, Sarah "Faye" Doney
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM PDT
PLENARY: The Great Reshuffling: Pandemic Impacts on the Re-visioning of Work and Labor
The pandemic created an unprecedented disruption that shook the labor force across the country. With millions of Americans making important career shifts, and a societal challenging and redefining of "work" - we are experiencing a Great Reshuffling in our labor market. In this roundtable discussion, we’ll explore what unique challenges workers are facing and how basic income can support this shift in building a dignity economy. [Livestream]
Speakers: Madeline Neighly, Leslie Kausch, Emily Squadra, Adam Roseman
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM PDT
Explore Portland's food carts and restaurants. Eat out, or bring it back to Leftbank.
1:00 PM - 2:15 PM PDT
Film, Stories and Shifting Culture: Basic Income Filmmaker Forum
Join this exciting conversation with filmmakers who have tackled basic income through a variety of lenses and approaches and hear more about the process of getting their films made, their hopes and goals for their films as agents for change, and the next steps for their films. Filmmakers include: Chris Panizzon, producer of Inherent Good, Conrad Shaw, producer of Bootstraps, and Hazel Gurland-Pooler, director of Storming Caesars Palace. [Livestream]
Speakers: Chris Panizzon, Conrad Shaw, Hazel Gurland-Pooler
1:00 PM - 2:15 PM PDT
In-Kind Benefits vs. Direct Cash
Panelists compare the relative impact and efficiencies of two in-kind benefits as compared to direct cash grants, then reflect on the potential consequences - both positive and negative - of these two forms of public assistance. [Recorded]
Speakers: Tola Ouk, Tracy Smith-Carrier, Emma Smith Carrier
2:30 PM - 3:45 PM PDT
Exploring the Macroeconomic Effects of a Basic Income
What are the broader impacts of a national basic income on our economic system? Join leading analysts and advocates as they discuss macroeconomic effects. [Livestream]
Speakers: Scott Santens, Joshua Zane Miller, Max Ghenis
2:30 PM - 3:45 PM PDT
Oregon People’s Rebate: A Deep Dive into Ballot Measure Work
Having basic income policy gain traction at the state level is a critical step towards broad federal legislation. State work can come from elected officials and move through the state legislature, or, in the case of more than 20 states, it can come from the people, in the form of a ballot measure. In Oregon, the Oregon People’s Rebate is the first ballot measure for statewide direct cash policy. Hear more about this groundbreaking initiative, and how other states can take a similar approach. [Recorded]
Speakers: Antonio Gisbert, Anthony Johnson
4:00 PM - 6:00 PDT
PLENARY: Intersectionality of Movements: Basic Income as a Tool for Justice and Closing Remarks
Housing and disability rights. Racial, gender and LGBTQIA justice. The fight for everyone in our community to have their basic rights protected and basic needs covered includes an economic component. The dignity and flexibility of direct cash means basic income can be part of the economic solution to support all of these efforts. In this session, we will talk with leaders working across a wide range of justice work and learn why they have taken up direct cash as part of their programmatic work. This conversation can inspire new opportunities to grow the direct cash movement through intersectional partnerships. [Livestream]
Speakers: Mellani Calvin, Allison Teng, Raven Drake, Andrew Hogan, Ebonee Bell
7:00 AM - 7:45 AM PDT
Environmentally just best practices for Carbon Pricing and Dividends
Carbon pricing with dividends is one version of a partial basic income. This session will explore best practices for carbon pricing, and responses to some criticisms from environmental justice advocates.
Speakers: Mike Sandler, Brent Ranalli, James Boyce
7:00 AM - 7:45 AM PDT
Advocating for BIG on the local level–perspectives from Germany and France
Throughout Europe there is interest in getting local mayors to support basic income. What can German and French mayors learn from US Mayors for a Guaranteed income, and vice versa?
Speakers: Olaf Michael Ostertag, Simone Lange, Eva Jacob
7:00 AM - 7:45 AM PDT
Questioning full employment and mandatory participation in the economy
The two papers in this session raise basic questions about 1)The desirability of full employment, and 2) The desirability of linking income to labor market participation.
Speakers: Alex Howlett, Karl Widerquist
8:00 AM - 8:45 AM PDT
Guaranteed income and the current safety net
This session describes the current safety net and compares its features to cash assistance policies.
Speakers: Nick Rodelo, Ann Danforth, Luisa S. Deprez
8:00 AM - 8:45 AM PDT
Would basic income raise prices?
Economists Ioana Marinescu (University of Pennsylvania) and Claudia Sahm (Founder of Stay-At-Home Macro Consulting, former Federal Reserve economist) evaluate the evidence on basic income and inflation.
Speakers: Ioana Marinescu, Claudia Sahm
8:00 AM - 8:45 AM PDT
Representatives involved in the roll out of two basic income pilots discuss the key role that community-based participation played in the design phase of the pilots - one by recruiting Think Tank members, the other through Lived Experience Consultants. The discussion will focus on the importance of engaging community members and the impact that might have on the quality and effectiveness of the program, and the power of the resulting narratives to effect change.
Speakers: Keiko Sono, Almaz Zelleke, Henry Love, Kadisha David
8:00 AM - 8:45 AM PDT
The Political Ecology of Basic Income in Canada: Basic income as a social movement
Part 1 of a 4-Part Series. This session starts with an overview of basic income as a social movement in Canada from the authors of The Case for Basic Income: Freedom, Security, Justice. It then moves into recent achievements in unifying the growing movement into a BINow campaign geared to electing candidates who will support and champion a basic income politically.
Speakers: Elaine Power, Jamie Swift, Benjamin Earle, Chelsea Stephens
9:00 AM - 10:15 AM PDT
PLENARY: Supporting Babies, Ending Child Poverty
Targeted guaranteed income programs such as the CTC or pilots focused on very young children have shown promising results both for the children and their parents, which, coupled with past studies on the impact of financial security in the early years, suggests a considerable pay off over the long haul. Through the lens of one such pilot, panelists will review the benefits of this more targeted approach, and discuss the pros and cons of a more limited guaranteed income creating a floor for families with children, including the “End Child Poverty” introduced in Congress earlier this year.
Speakers: Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Holly Fogle, Elizabeth Deyoung, Kyra Grener
9:00 AM - 10:15 AM PDT
Basic Income: An Intersectional Conversation
Part 2 of a 4-Part Series. Income, gender, race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, class, and indigeneity intersect in everyday people’s experiences. This informal conversation will focus on the intersections between basic income proposals and the diversity of people’s identities in Canada.
Note: This interactive session will be held in Zoom using the conference password.
Click here for the full session information
Speakers: Maria Wong, Ruva Gwekwerere, Nousha Bayrami, Kate Fish
10:15 AM - 11:30 AM PDT
Lunch & Networking in Kumospace
We will be hosting virtual social events and networking in Kumospace, which simulates the experience of wandering the halls and striking up conversations with other attendees. There will be a series of themed rooms where attendees can gather to network, make connections, and brainstorm ways to continue the conversation beyond the conference. Grab a real or virtual beverage, wander the galleries and start conversations with panelists and other conference attendees!
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM PDT
In this panel, we showcase different ways direct cash is being explored and applied within the context of public benefits to address poverty and improve the delivery of critical financial supports.
Speakers: Jennifer Kellett, Joyanne Cobb, Ryan Ambrose, Mary Durden
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM PDT
From Guaranteed Income Pilot to Policy: Artists as Activists Changing the Narrative
An interactive roundtable discussion with Q&A highlighting the impact guaranteed income pilot programs are having on participating artists and how the perspectives of artists are critical to changing the narrative in the basic income movement.
Speakers: Aisa Villarosa, Kevin Dublin, Maura Cuffie
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM PDT
Messaging and the Politics of Basic Income
Support for basic income spans the political spectrum. Join us to learn strategic messaging for different audiences.
Speakers: Catherine Thomas, Jason Murphy, Leire Rincón Garcia
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM PDT
The Political Ecology of Basic Income in Canada: A conversation across the political spectrum
Part 3 of a 4-Part Series. Basic income has supporters across the political spectrum. This panel explores why it resonates and what we can learn as advocates. It brings together an academic view of the spectrum with the experience of Prince Edward Island in getting all-party agreement to pursue a basic income, in conversation with a journalist who has covered the issues.
Speakers: Trish Altass, Jennifer Robson, Laurie Monsebraaten
12:30 PM - 1:15 PM PDT
Public opinion around basic income
This session reviews the data and implications around how the public feels about basic income.
Speakers: Tijs Laenen, Will Fedder, Katarina van Alebeek, Peter T. Knight
12:30 PM - 1:15 PM PDT
The Feminist Stake in Basic Income
This panel discussion highlights the intersectionality of feminism andbasic income being an important solution to righting the injustices women face. Members of BC’s Women Alliance will share their grassroots experience fighting for women’s rights and basic income and will be joined by Maria Wong who will be sharing her paper “Basic Income and Violence Against Women”.
Speakers: Maria Wong, Megan Moffatt, Sarah Mah, Jacqueline Gullion, Ruby Langan
12:30 PM - 1:15 PM PDT
Participatory Design of a Basic Income for People with Disabilities: The Canada Disability Benefit
This session includes a presentation and discussion focusing on the higher poverty rates of people with disabilities, the inadequacy of income support programs for people with disabilities and the benefits of authentic participation by the disability community in the design of a promised new disability benefit.
Speakers: Nousha Bayrami, Kate Fish
12:30 PM - 1:15 PM PDT
Part 4 of a 4-Part Series. This workshop will help advocates build skills in tailoring our messages to different segments of the public. It will take account of the complexity of different public views and ideologies, including disinformation from right libertarian groups.
Speakers: Tim Ellis, Sheila Regehr
1:30 PM - 2:45 PM PDT
PLENARY: Politics of Basic Income: The Strategy of Winning National Policy
HWhat is the path towards federal basic income legislation? Forming a political coalition in support of direct cash policy will take significant strategic effort and a long term vision. Join policy strategists Liam deClive-Lowe and Anna Aurillio as they discuss where the energy currently sits on the hill, and how we move towards comprehensive direct cash policy.
Speakers: Liam deClive-Lowe, Anna Aurillo
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM PDT
Simulating and advocating child allowances
How would a national child allowance policy affect Americans, and how can we get there with state-level policies?
Speakers: Max Ghenis, Yash Vijay, Nate Golden
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM PDT
Best Practices to Build and Implement Basic Income Pilots Tailored to Local Communities
The ecosystem of basic income pilots is expanding to towns and cities across the US and around the world. Join us to learn about best practices for community engagement, design, implementation, and analysis.
Speakers: Troy Henderson, Elise Klein, Ben Spies-Butcher, Otto Lehto
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM PDT
This will be an interactive session. The GRP leads will very briefly highlight the findings of a year-long project reflecting 33 diverse community conversations about income security and climate issues and solutions. The majority of the session time will be given to flexibly guided conversation among participants from the US, Canada and beyond.
Speakers: Sheila Regehr, Mitchell Beer
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM PDT
A discussion of income-tested guaranteed income vs. universal basic income, and whether payments should be the same for all recipients.
Speakers: Julia Maskivker, Evelyn Forget, Annie Miller
5:30 PM PDT - END
Celebrate the end of the 20th Annual BIG Conference in Kumospace, a virtual networking space, where you can meet up with your new conference friends, hang out in a virtual pool, or simply eavesdrop on other conversations. Let's all share a real or virtual beverage as we reflect on what we've learned at this year's conference and how we can work towards making basic income a reality for everyone!
20th Annual
Basic Income Guarantee Conference