2026 NED Teaching and Learning Conference: Call for Proposals

NED Teaching and Learning Conference

September 24 – 25, 2026

In-person (North Hennepin Community College, Brooklyn Park) and Online

The Network for Educational Development (NED) invites proposals for the 2026 NED Teaching and Learning Conference, which will be held in-person at North Hennepin Community College (Brooklyn Park) and online on September 24 – 25, 2026.

About the NED Teaching and Learning Conference

The NED Teaching and Learning Conference is an opportunity for educators to share their evidence-based experiences and learn from each other as we explore the theme Empowering Every Learner: Strategies for Universal Access. The conference also provides opportunities for networking and collaboration among educators from different colleges and universities.

The conference will be held in-person and virtually. Participants can choose to attend both in-person at North Hennepin Community College (Brooklyn Park) and virtual sessions, as some in-person sessions will be streamed to accommodate online attendees.

The conference is sponsored by the Academic and Student Affairs (ASA) Educational Development Committee.

Call for Proposals

The NED Conference Committee seeks proposals for sessions that provide attendees with the tools and resources needed to reposition, rethink, and revitalize systems and selves; that are grounded in research or scholarly practice; and supported by evidence. Sessions will be designed to thoughtfully engage participants and offer pragmatic ideas, inspire new ways of thinking, or raise questions relevant to educational or scholarly practices.

Topics this conference is interested in, but not limited to: 

• Institutional Supports and Challenges –  Exploring institution or system‑level strategies and barriers that shape our ability to build accessible, equitable, inclusive learning environments. 
• Classroom Applications – Showcasing practical, evidence‑based approaches for integrating universal access, UDL, and inclusivity directly into teaching. 
• Emerging Practices – Highlighting innovative methods and forward‑thinking models, technologies, and strategies that are redefining access and equity in education. 
• Accessible Technology and Digital Inclusion – Focusing on tools and technologies that remove digital barriers and expand access for all learners. 
• Academic Equity – Centering strategies that advance equitable learning opportunities and outcomes across diverse student populations. 

Proposals will be accepted in 3 modes of presentation: 

Format	Proposal Format Description
Interactive presentation in-person or live online, (50 minutes)	Interactive presentation session on a selected topic. Each session will include active engagement by participants and intentional time for dialogue. We encourage student co-facilitators.
Moderated panel discussion	Roundtable discussions will be facilitated and will center on a topic robust enough to sustain a 50-minute discussion. Presenters should bring targeted questions to pose so those at the table can learn from and with each other. Roundtables are an ideal format for networking and in-depth discussion on a particular topic.
Lightning Talks (in-person, or live online, 10 minutes)	TED Talk-style presentation on a focused topic. 10 minutes with a focus on information sharing and awareness – no Q&A.

Note: In the proposal submission form, you will be asked if you’d like your session to be considered as a 3-4 hour pre-conference workshop (yes/no). 

Additional Call for Proposal Details 

• You may submit or be associated with up to two (2) proposals. 
• If your proposal is accepted, all session presenters are required to register for the conference and pay the registration fee. 
• All session presenters must pay for their own travel and lodging costs and other incidental expenses and are encouraged to use professional development funds and/or other institution-based funding sources. 
• We are looking for presentation topics that are inclusive and diverse. Note that diversity is measured in many ways, including gender and gender identity, location, socio-economic background, perspective, age, race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. 
• Proposals will go through a double-blind peer review (See rubric below for additional details). 
• Presentations may be in-person or virtual (presenting off-site). 
• Proposals are limited to Minnesota State employees. 

Proposal Evaluation Criteria 

NED Teaching and Learning Conference Proposal Rubric

Criterion	Criterion description
Abstract and outline quality	The abstract and outline are presented in sufficient detail to understand the topic and connection to the conference theme. The description highlights evidence-based engagement opportunities and actionable items for the audience to take away and apply to their own contexts. The abstract, which will be in the conference program, is grammatically sound, free from punctuation, spelling, and formatting errors.
Connection with the conference theme	The proposed session includes a brief paragraph connecting the presentation to the conference theme.
Learning outcomes	The learning outcomes are clear, specific, measurable, and well-aligned with the description content.
Inclusion of sources/literature citation	The proposal includes citations of previous scholarly work and integrates theory and/or quantitative or qualitative assessment data. The presentation does not rest solely on the presenter’s experience.
Participant engagement	The proposed session is engaging and interactive. It includes the thoughtful use of active learning and engagement activities synergistic with the proposed content and session goals.
Applicability	The proposal includes practical applied strategies or practices that could be adapted to different teaching and learning contexts.
Academic equity, inclusion, and diversity	The proposal supports equitable practice. Proposal demonstrates the value of diversity and inclusion. Note diversity is measured in many ways, including gender and identity, location, socio-economic background, perspective, age, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.

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Required Submission Information 

1. Lead presenter‘s name and email
2. Co-presenters’ emails
3. Session Information:
   • Title (strictly limited to 10 words)
   • Each presenter’s name and institution
   • Key terms (3) to describe your session
   • Connection with the conference theme
   • Key statement (i.e., mini-abstract or “elevator pitch,” 25 words)
4. Session Details (content):
   • Full abstract (150 words maximum; avoid identifiers where possible)
   • 3 learner-centered outcomes
   • Describe your engaged learning strategy (up to 100 words)
   • Session outline (How will your content be presented across your allotted session time? Five-to-ten-minute segments are most helpful.)
5. References: 3-5 Publications that serve as the underpinnings of your presentation (APA Style)

Submission Deadline 

The submission deadline is March 15, 2026. Acceptance notifications will be sent by April 15, 2026. 

Submitting a proposal requires being logged in with your StarID and password.

Contact 

Catherine Ford
Program Director of Educational Development 
Educational Development and Technology, Minnesota State ASA

All conference information will be available at MinnState.edu/NEDconference.