ITLSIG Online International Conference 2027
Pedagogical Research: Exploring the Why, the How and the Impact of Teaching and Learning
Date: Thursday 1 July 2027
Venue: Online
We are pleased to announce the date of our next international conference: Thursday 1 July 2027. The call for submissions will open soon. Please check this page for updates.
On this page: Theme | Sub-themes | Call for submissions | Fees | Keynote speakers
The International Teaching and Learning Special Interest Group (ITLSIG), hosted by Manchester Metropolitan University, is delighted to invite higher education educators, researchers, postgraduate students, and practitioners to participate in a one-day online international conference.
The conference provides an excellent opportunity to explore contemporary pedagogical research across diverse educational contexts. It will provide an international forum for educators, researchers and practitioners to share, discuss and critically reflect on pedagogical research across a range of educational contexts.
The conference will encourage contributions that explore established and emerging approaches to teaching and learning, innovative practice, critical reflection, and research-informed educational development.
Conference theme
Pedagogical Research: Exploring the Why, the How and the Impact of Teaching and Learning
The overarching theme places pedagogical research at the centre, with particular attention to why we undertake pedagogical research, how it can inform and enhance educational practice, and the impact it can have on learners, educators, institutions and wider communities.
Under this theme, the conference will provide a space to examine the questions that motivate pedagogical research, the approaches used to investigate teaching and learning, and the ways in which research can inform and enhance educational practice.
Conference sub-themes
Reflecting the breadth of work already taking place across the ITLSIG research groups, the conference sub-themes are designed to provide a coherent framework for contributions while also encouraging dialogue and collaboration across areas of shared interest.
1. Active Learning
Research and practice exploring approaches that actively engage learners in the learning process, including collaborative, experiential, problem-based, inquiry-based and participatory approaches. Potential topics include:
- Gamification and game-based learning
- Simulations and role-play
- Inclusive and accessible active learning pedagogies
- Active learning in interdisciplinary contexts
- GenAI and active learning
- Collaborative and peer learning (including COIL projects)
- Flipped classroom approaches
- Community-engaged and service learning
- Creative and arts-based active learning approaches
2. Education for Sustainable Development
Pedagogical research examining how sustainability, environmental responsibility, social justice, global responsibility and ethical citizenship can be embedded within curricula, teaching practices and educational experiences. This sub-theme may include work exploring climate and environmental education, equity, participation, inclusion, community engagement, and the social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development.
3. Early Childhood Education
Research focused on pedagogy, learning, development and educational practice within early childhood contexts. This includes critical inquiry into how understandings of childhood inform curriculum, play, care and the everyday relationships through which learning takes place. Contributions may explore children’s voice, agency and participation; educators’ professional judgement; culturally situated pedagogies; and the ethical and methodological complexities of researching with young children. Particular attention is given to how adult-child power relations influence whose perspectives are heard, interpreted and represented, and how pedagogical research can challenge established assumptions about children and childhood to inform more responsive and meaningful educational practice.
4. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Research exploring inclusive pedagogies, equitable educational experiences, accessibility, belonging, representation and approaches to reducing barriers to participation and learning.
5. Assessment and Feedback
Research examining assessment design, feedback practices, student engagement with assessment, innovative assessment approaches and the role of assessment in supporting learning.
6. Technology Enhanced Learning and AI
Research exploring the use, impact and implications of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in teaching, learning and assessment, including both opportunities and challenges.
7. Student Experience
Research examining the wider student learning experience, including engagement, belonging, participation, transition, wellbeing, learning environments and the factors that shape students’ educational experiences.
Call for submissions
The call for submissions will open soon.
Submission guidelines, presentation formats and key dates will be published on this page.
Why participate?
The conference offers an opportunity to:
Showcase your pedagogic research and scholarly practice
Engage with colleagues from across disciplines and institutions
Exchange ideas and develop new collaborations
Contribute to advancing evidence-informed teaching and learning
Conference fees
A nominal registration fee is charged to help cover conference administration, online platform costs, accessibility provision, and the development of conference resources. The conference is organised on a not-for-profit basis.
£25
Waged participants, early bird registration
£30
Waged participants, standard rate
£15
Unwaged participants and students
Note: A discount or waiver will be considered case by case. Please contact the conference organisers if you need support.
Conference registration: Information regarding registration will be shared at a later date.
Keynote speakers
To be confirmed.