A central and recurrent discussion in ecology is how deterministic and stochastic processes dictate how communities assemble after disturbance. Deterministic processes hinge on biotic interactions and species-specific responses to the environment. By contrast, stochastic processes rely on random dispersal and colonization, as well as historical contingencies (e.g. previous land-use, primer effects). Both determinism and stochasticity likely influence ecological succession, however the relative importance of these two processes is unresolved. Furthermore, the relative importance of these two processes are likely context dependent; however, the role of context dependency is poorly understood. Our proposed symposium will include a diverse group of ecologists who study succession in different ecosystems to address how deterministic and stochastic processes influence many aspects of ecological succession, the relative contribution of these two processes, and the role of context dependence.