Call for Proposals

2026 AECT International Convention

Theme: Building Bridges

Chicago, Illinois, USA

November 3-7, 2026

Note: dates may be subject to change

The annual AECT convention is an opportunity for members to engage in conversation and collaboration, as well as share their varied expertise from different locations and contexts. Participants are invited to share practical technology solutions, high-quality research, hands-on workshops, and demonstrations of innovative approaches to instructional design, performance improvement, and educational uses of technology.

The theme for the 2026 AECT convention is “Building Bridges".

With AECT now over 100 years old as an organization, we have many opportunities to not only reflect on where we’ve been, but also on where we want to go. In short, we have crossed some bridges, and we will cross more in the future.

At this year’s convention, we want to discuss these bridging opportunities — how some existing bridges can be fortified, how some bridges can be repaired — and we welcome conversations about new bridges we should consider as an organization.

Some possible bridges to discuss may include:

• Instructional design theory to practice
• Technology to learning
• Research to policy
• AECT to its affiliates

We invite high-quality presentation proposals to meaningfully address these bridging opportunities and issues (as well as other appropriate bridging opportunities) in the field. We welcome both practitioner-oriented proposals, as well as empirical and theoretical scholarship. 

Submissions should be 700-1000 words. Note: Individual divisions may choose to add supplemental criteria to this list, but all proposals will be scored according to at least these core criteria. See division calls for further information on additional criteria.

Presentation Formats

Presentations should plan for one of the following session formats:

·         Concurrent

o   These concurrent sessions are traditional stand-up presentations. The focus of these sessions is on sharing information. When proposing a concurrent session, make sure to describe how you will engage and encourage interaction with your audience - reading slides to your audience is not acceptable. Planners will group concurrent presentations of related content to form one 50-minute session.

·         Panel Discussion

o   Lasting 50 minutes and comprising a minimum of four and a maximum of six discussants, Panel Discussions focus on vibrant topics of contemporary concern and professional interest. Panelists quickly compare and contrast disciplinary expertise with an active, participating audience. Submissions require a designated lead discussant who organizes and facilitates the inclusion of participants. Proposals must state all panelists' names, affiliations, and relevant expertise. Planners will automatically reject proposals without panelist details.

·         Poster Presentation

o   Poster presentations showcase a project, program, process, activity, or similar experience in a visual and interactive setting. Poster presentations may highlight projects in the concept phase, in progress, or completed. All posters will be presented during the Poster Gallery and Welcome Reception on the first day of the convention. Presenters will design and bring their own posters (48” x 36” horizontal/landscape layout) to be attached to tri-fold panels provided by AECT.

·         Roundtable

o   Roundtables are designed for small group discussion of specialized topics, with the presenter leading the discussion. This participatory format allows for a highly interactive presentation lasting 50 minutes. Typically, many roundtable discussions happen concurrently in a large open room. A moderator will divide the time into two 25-minute sessions, so participants can visit multiple tables during the 50-minute session.

·         Design & Development Showcase

o   The Design and Development (D&D) Division invites practitioners, faculty, and students to showcase their completed and innovative training and educational programs. These projects should be grounded in theory and research related to the instructional design field. The D&D Showcase provides an opportunity for prospective and practicing instructional designers, training specialists, and others to explore high-quality examples to enhance their ability to design effective learning experiences and develop different types of instructional materials and environments. Proposals must describe key components of the program (e.g., goal/intent, target learners, theoretical and research foundations, design and development process, team members, cost). Design & Development Showcase submissions are only available when submitting to the Design & Development Division.

·         Design on Display

o   Design-on-Display (DoD) Sessions last 50 minutes and focus on concentrated, practical applications of effectively implementing evidence-based teaching, training, and learning strategies. Participants in DoD sessions expect to leave ready to implement new evidence-based practices or to use technology to implement evidence-based practices in new ways. DoD sessions might focus on using a specific app (e.g., Kahoot, Desmos), implementing specific evidence-based practices, using specific hardware (e.g., VR goggles, iPads) to implement evidence-based practices, or using other specific mediational means to implement evidence-based practices. DoD proposals must include a focal statement that identifies the session’s focal app, hardware, or other mediated engagement and specific evidence-based practice. Planners will automatically reject proposals without a focal statement. 

·         Featured Research

o   As the premier professional organization in instructional design and technology, AECT actively fosters the dissemination of important research findings. Featured Research proposals report on a novel, concluded empirical research study with data analysis completed at the time of submission. Planners will automatically reject proposals representing literature reviews, conceptual manuscripts, and other non-empirical papers. Authors who fail to submit accepted Featured Research papers to their discussant/facilitator by July 31, 2026 will be removed from the program. Featured Research submissions are only available when submitting to the Research & Theory Division.

·         Fee-Based Workshop

o   Fee-based workshops are intended to provide intense professional development opportunities that result in participants acquiring new skills. Fee-based workshops may be two to four hours in length. Workshop proposals should identify specific learning goals or outcomes for attendees. The proposal’s short description should indicate if attendees should bring any equipment, software, or materials with them to the session. Please note that only a digital projector is provided in the room; presenters and attendees must supply their own computers and cables. Please indicate the intended length of the workshop in your proposal.
 

Proposal Scoring Rubric

Following AECT policy, all submissions are assessed against submission criteria and evaluated by blinded two peer reviewers.

Note: Individual divisions may choose to add supplemental criteria to this list, but all proposals will be scored according to at least these core criteria. See division calls for further information on additional criteria.

Key Dates & Deadlines

• December 11, 2025 – Call for proposals is released
• January 5, 2026 – Proposal system opens for submissions
• February 16, 2026 – Proposals due by 11:59 P.M. US Pacific Time (note: there will not be a deadline extension)
• March 2, 2026 – Proposals assigned to reviewers
• March 9, 2026 – Reviewers receive their assignments
• April 20, 2026 – Proposal reviews due by 11:59 P.M. US Pacific Time
• May 18, 2026 – Notify authors of submission decision
• June 1, 2026– Accepted presenters confirm intent to present
• July 31, 2026 – Full convention schedule available
• November 3-7, 2026– Chicago Convention activities

Presentation Rooms and Equipment

All Presentation rooms, excluding sessions scheduled for roundtables and poster displays will be supplied with a digital projector. Presenters must provide other equipment, including laptops, tablets, or cables.

Accessibility

AECT is committed to making all reasonable arrangements that will allow conference presenters to participate in convention events. Please include any information necessary to help with scheduling or accommodating the presentation, if accepted.

Registration Requirement and Code of Conduct

All listed presenters on an accepted proposal must register and participate in the presentation at the convention. Non-presenting authors should be designated as a “contributor.” All presenters - as well as other convention participants - are required to follow the Association’s Code of Conduct.

Thank You!

We look forward to reading everyone's proposals, and we look forward to seeing you at The Palmer House in November 2026.

John Curry, Ph.D, AECT President-Elect

Lauren Bagdy, Ph.D., Convention Lead, Center of Excellence for Event Planning