SEDA Spring Conference 2026

Collaborative futures – sustainable, equitable and compassionate educational change
21^st & 22^nd May 2026 | Hosted by Liverpool John Moores University

Call for Proposals

SEDA is delighted to invite colleagues from across the sector – academics, educational developers, professional services staff, students, leaders and policy-makers – to explore how collaborative leadership and partnership working can be harnessed to create resilient, compassionate and future-focused institutions. The conference will provide a space to explore how a focus on collaboration, equity and compassion might underpin new models of education, enabling institutions to thrive in challenging times.

We are particularly interested in contributions that address the following themes:

• Collaborative transformation: collaborative and sustainable models for curriculum design, staff-student partnership working, research, scholarship and pedagogic innovation or that re-imagine the ways in which collaborative transformation can be achieved.
• Compassionate collaborations: examples of empathy, wellbeing and resilience as essential dimensions of leading educational change.
• Equitable futures: collaborative strategies to eliminate inequities, promote inclusive practice and enhance student belonging as well as staff well-being.
• Collaborative leadership: cross-institutional, cross-sector (e.g. tertiary) and global collaborations that expand educational reach and impact for a sustainable future.
• Staff development in the context of academic collaboration: exploring strategies for professional growth and capacity building among colleagues at partner institutions, fostering shared learning and sustainable partnerships.

Submission Guidelines

• Submission here https://forms.office.com/e/XNPA1Mmexk
• Deadline for Abstracts: 26^th January 2026
• Notification of Acceptance: week commencing 9^th February 2026
• Conference Dates: 21^st and 22^nd May 2026
• Please ensure that you specify the preferred presentation format (interactive workshop, practice paper, research paper, or lightning talk) in your submission. 
• Submissions must be in English. 

Presentation Formats

• Research Papers (20 minutes): These presentations should contribute new insights and findings in educational research, providing evidence-based approaches connected with the conference theme.
• Practice Papers (15 minutes): These presentations should focus on practical experiences, successful initiatives, or innovative practices that have proven effective in addressing educational challenges.
• Lightning Talks (10 minutes): These concise presentations offer an opportunity to share thoughts, ideas, or projects in a brief and engaging manner, encouraging dynamic discussions and networking.
• Interactive Workshops (45 or 60 minutes): Active involvement of delegates in exploring a related theme through group discussions, case studies, or practical exercises.

We look forward to receiving your proposals and to engaging in discussions on how we might collaborate to realise a more sustainable, equitable and compassionate future for higher education.