Instructions for Presenters
DEADLINE EXTENDED: Final Papers (or Extended Abstracts)
are now due July 14, 2026, 11:59 pm Eastern
Updated September 21, 2026
- Presenter Technology Checklist
- Letter to Paper Presenters – Conference Room
- Letter to Experientiall Session Facilitators – Room Set Up
Updated June 26, 2026 information is here, with detailed information on:
- Award eligibility
- Review of abstracts
- Final submission as an extended abstract
- Poster sessions submission
- Conference session formats
The deadline for submitting your paper or extended abstract is now extended to July 14, 2026, 11:59 pm Eastern.
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Congratulations to the presenters at the 2026 International Transformative Learning Conference.
Review important information about:
- Choosing to submit a Paper or an Extended Abstract
- Instructions for Format of Papers and Extended Abstracts
- Instructions for Uploading Your Paper or Extended Abstract
- Instructions for Reviewing/Revising Session Description for the Program
April 17, 2026 details are here.
We invite proposals from diverse and underrepresented perspectives and encourage dialogue between the transformative learning tradition and other disciplines, literatures, and knowledge systems.
Proposals can address, but are not limited to, the following questions:
- What does it mean to learn transformatively in today’s interconnected world?
- In what ways can artistic and creative practices support co-creation in navigating societal complexities?
- How can communities engage in collaborative action to address pressing global and local challenges through learning and transformation?
- How do we balance structure and emergence in the co-creation of change to allow for innovation and adaptability?
- What methodologies best support relational learning and collective sense-making in transformative educational contexts?
- How can we nurture new forms of solidarity and shared responsibility in an era of increasing social fragmentation and crisis?
We invite proposals for both the main conference and the virtual conference. All proposals will undergo the same review process, and Final Papers will be published in the proceedings of the conference and be eligible for the Jack Mezirow (Best Paper) Award. Proposals for the following types of presentations will be accepted:
Papers – may be:
- Research Reports (e.g., qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods, action research, case studies, meta-analyses)
- Theoretical Contributions (e.g., conceptual studies, model or theory development, positioning papers)
- Transformative Practice Cases (applications in real-world settings that test or challenge existing theory or propose new methodologies)
- Symposia (three to five authors presenting diverse perspectives on a shared topic)
Experiential Sessions – interactive pedagogical demonstrations
Roundtables – informal discussions on work-in-progress, ideal for exploration of emerging ideas
Poster Presentations – visual display of good practice, research, or planned research; ideal for practitioners, graduate students, and early career researchers (main conference only)
Submission Guidelines
Proposal Length:
- 800-1200 words, including references and supporting material / 200-300 words for poster presentations
Final Paper Length:
- Up to 3500 words, including references and supporting material (not needed for poster presentations)
Formatting Requirements:
- Single-spaced, US letter format, 1-inch margins
- Times New Roman, 12-point font
- APA 7th edition citation style
- Abstract (max. 200 words) to be submitted separately
- No identifying information in proposals
Other Requirements:
- An individual may submit only one proposal as the first (or lead) author
Key Dates
Proposal Submission Deadline: January 15, 2026 (extended)
Notification of Acceptance: April 20, 2026
Final Paper Submission Deadline: July 7, 2026
Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated based on:
- Relevance to Transformative Learning – clear connection to transformative learning theory and practice
- Theoretical Rigor – clear conceptual foundation and contribution to the field
- Quality of Writing – clarity, coherence, and accessibility
Engagement Strategy (for experiential sessions and roundtables) – clear description of interactive elements and engagement plan - Contribution to the Field – originality, impact, and alignment with conference goals
All proposal submissions should indicate whether the proposal is intended for the main conference or virtual conference. All proposals (whether for the main or virtual) undergo the same review processes, will be included in the proceedings, and are eligible for the Jack Mezirow Living Theory Award (Best Paper).
Please consider serving as a proposal reviewer.
Reviewing proposals is a great opportunity for professional growth and networking, as well as for providing service and leadership to the field. We encourage you to contribute to this essential function. If you are willing to contribute to this work, please complete the short form. We will need to begin organizing reviewers soon, so please sign up to be a reviewer at your earliest convenience.