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International Teaching & Learning Special Interest Group (ITLSIG)
International Symposium & Books Launch Event
Date: Thursday 9th April 2026
Venue: Brooks Building, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK.
The International Teaching and Learning Special Interest Group (ITLSIG), hosted by Manchester Metropolitan University, is delighted to invite Educators, Researchers, Postgraduate Students, and Policymakers to participate in a one-day International Symposium.
Symposium Theme: Innovative Approaches to Teaching and Learning in Higher Education: Contemporary Global Perspectives.
Abstract submissions are now closed.
The following two books will be launched during the International Symposium
The symposium has attracted a diverse and high‑quality range of abstracts highlighting innovative, collaborative, and practice‑focused work in higher education. Accepted presentations offer varied perspectives and approaches, combining theoretical insight with practical impact across multiple engaging subthemes:
- Pedagogical Innovation
- Digital and AI‑Enhanced Learning
- Inclusive and Equitable Education
- Student Engagement and Co‑Creation
- Assessment and Feedback Innovation
- Professional Development and Academic Practices
- Sustainability and Ethics in Higher Education
Together, these presentations create a dynamic programme that promotes dialogue, reflection, and collaboration among educators, researchers, and practitioners from across the globe. The programme features a diverse range of presentation formats, including mini keynotes (15 minutes), research papers (10 minutes), practice‑based case studies (10 minutes), creative formats such as lightning talks (7 minutes), and poster presentations, offering multiple ways to share and engage with scholarship and practice. We kindly invite you to come and engage with colleagues, and contribute to conversations shaping the future of Higher Education. In addition to speakers from more than 15 UK universities, we also have international speakers from countries including China, Malta, New Zealand, Spain, UAE, and the USA, among others!
Registration is now closed!
Early Bird Registration (from 1st December 2025 till 12pm (UK Time) on 30th January 2026, ): £120. Early Bird Registration is now closed!
Standard Registration (from 30th January 2026 till 6th March 2026, 5pm UK time): £150
Unwaged/PhD Students Registration (From 1st December 2025 till 6th March 2026) : £60
The Registration Fee includes: Lunch on the day, Coffee, Tea, Pastries and Biscuits during the day, as well as Wi-Fi access, and the delegate pack and a badge!
To register to attend the International Symposium, please book online here.
Further Information: If you have any questions or if you want to discuss anything about your participation at the symposium, please contact us via email at: ITLSIGCommunity@gmail.com
Accommodation
For those of you seeking overnight accommodation in Manchester, we have arranged preferential rates at Maldron Hotel in Manchester City centre, close to the Symposium venue.
Rates:
Wednesday 8th April
£115.00 per single occupancy room – Bed & Breakfast
£125.00 per double/twin occupancy room – Bed & Breakfast
Thursday 9th April
£109.00 per single occupancy room – Bed & Breakfast
£119.00 per double/twin occupancy room – Bed & Breakfast
Friday 10th April
£124.00 per single occupancy room – Bed & Breakfast
£134.00 per double/twin occupancy room – Bed & Breakfast
City Visitor Charge: £1.20 per room, per night
To book, you will need to go to Maldron Hotel website: https://www.maldronhotels.com/manchester-city-centre/
- Select Book Now
- Select the relevant dates, etc. and enter the Promo Code: MANC090426
- Then select Check Availability and follow the screen through.
Note: A wide range of alternative accommodation, to suit every budget is also available close to the symposium venue. You can take a look at Booking.com.
Welcome to Manchester, UK
We’re delighted to welcome you to the fantastic city of Manchester – a place known for its friendly vibe and warm hospitality. Getting here is easy thanks to excellent transport links, and once you arrive, moving around the city is simple with a transport network that covers the whole region.
There’s plenty to explore while you’re here. From world‑famous sport and music to a thriving cultural scene and lively nightlife, Manchester has something for everyone. Make sure you take some time to discover what makes this city so special to those who call it home.
Check out the brand-new and dedicated section of Visit Manchester’s website aimed at visiting delegates. There’s lots of helpful information and there are some great deals for delegates to take advantage of.
Book Launch
During this international symposium we will also be launching our two newly published edited books:
Note: Some of the contributing authors will be present to share their work at this international symposium.
Invited Guest Speakers
Presenter Biography: Dr Richard Nelson, the Head of Teaching Excellence at the University of Bradford, leads a team supporting staff in creating engaging and successful learning journeys through higher education. He currently chairs the University AI special interest group and presents on AI developments in teaching, learning, and assessment at Universities and Further Education colleges, as well as the UK JISC National Centre for AI. LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/richardnelsononline
Presentation Title: Academic Identity in the Age of AI
Presentation Abstract
The Landscape of Higher Education is changing. Over the last decade, almost every institution has started on a digital transformation journey, and the speed and scope of this transformation has increased due to the rapid rollout of generative artificial intelligence. This has led to an identity crisis for Academic staff, increasing anxiety over how this will impact their academic freedoms, integrity and role as teachers. Taking extracts from his book, ‘Academic Identity in the Age of AI’, Dr Nelson’s presentation will outline how artificial intelligence has proliferated and increased its influence over academic identity, provide examples of use cases and explore the concerns of adapting or dying. Book URL: https://bookstore.emerald.com/academic-identity-in-the-age-of-ai-hb-9781835498675.html.
Presenter Biography: Professor Charlotte Chatto, works at the University of the Cumberlands, USA. She holds a PhD in Applied Neuroscience, is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy with over 35 years of clinical practice and three decades of academic experience. In 2017, she was selected to be the only physical therapy educator to participate in the Harvard-Macy Institute Program for Educators in Health Profession. She is Professor Emerita at Augusta University. While at Augusta University, Professor Chatto was honored for her work with Outstanding Faculty, Distinguished Service, and Outstanding Clinical Educator awards. She was also chosen to be a Teaching Scholar Fellow, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Fellow, and Faculty Development Fellow. In her career, she considers her most important clinical and educational contributions to be her volunteer work in Haiti. She treated patients following the 2010 earthquake during five visits between 2011 and 2017. She currently is a faculty member at Faculté des Sciences de Réhabilitation de Léogâne (FSRL) of Université Épiscopale d’Haiti (UNEPH) teaching neuroanatomy and research. She is also leading efforts for the physiotherapy education program to achieve World Physiotherapy accreditation.
Presentation Title: How to Build a Brain: Using the Science of Learning to Guide Pedagogy
Presentation Abstract:
Professor Chatto will ask the audience to join her on an ongoing journey to find the best ways to teach complex concepts of neuroanatomy to health science students. This journey has been the inspiration for many innovative teaching techniques…some successful, and some not. As the evidence accumulates for the science of learning, there is now increasingly more knowledge about how to enhance memory and manage cognitive load. Professor Chatto will share this evidence and how it has informed the creation and evolution of her learning activities, encouraging the audience to enhance their own teaching.
Symposium Programme
Thank you for your interest in the upcoming International Symposium. We are delighted to share that we have received a rich and diverse range of abstracts covering the different subthemes of the symposium from colleagues across numerous UK universities as well as from institutions outside the UK. We are also pleased to confirm that more than 35 speakers will be contributing to our parallel sessions, in addition to our two keynote speakers. This promises to be an exciting and vibrant festival of ideas in teaching and learning in higher education.
You can access the full programme and speaker schedule by clicking here.
| Time | Activity |
| 8:15-9:00 | Registration & Welcome Coffee |
| 9:00-9:30 | Official Welcome & Opening Remarks |
| 9:35-10:20 | Keynote Address 1 |
| 10:20-10:40 | Morning Tea & Coffee Break |
| 10:40-11:25 | Keynote Address 2 |
| 11:30-12:30 | Parallel Sessions 1 |
| 12:30-13:25 | Lunch & Networking |
| 13:30-14:45 | Book Launch Ceremony |
| 14:45-15:00 | Transition-Tea & Coffee |
| 15:00-16:20 16:25-16:45 | Parallel Sessions 2 Wrap-Up & Closing Remarks |
We look forward to welcoming you at Manchester Metropolitan University!
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