Important!
Due to the global COVID-19 outbreak, some events listed here may have been cancelled, postponed or will take place virtually. Therefore, the information on this page may not be entirely accurate and we kindly ask you to visit the event website.
This post was last updated on April 21, 2020
Following the success of last year’s “Save the dates” post (thank you, Daniel Kontowski) we continue with ECHER’s aim to provide relevant information about higher education research events to early-career (and not-so-early-career) scholars. This time, we have put together a list of more than 50 events for higher education researchers, mostly made up of conferences, summer schools, and workshops.
To make the list easier to navigate, the events are organized into several categories. We start with the conferences relevant to higher education researchers, then we move to the education-focused conferences with a higher education strand, and finally, we list general social sciences conferences which also include higher education. Summer schools, workshops, and other events are listed at the very end.
As was the case last year, we aim to make the list as comprehensive and up-to-date as possible. However, we may have missed some events, especially if they take place outside Europe and North America. If you would like to suggest an event, send an email to: echernetwork@gmail.com or post a comment in the section below. Also, please double-check the deadlines and other details on the event or organiser’s website because they can change or we may have made a mistake. Your feedback will help us make the 2021 list even better!
- Conferences for higher education researchers
- Education conferences with tracks on higher education
- Other established conferences with higher education tracks
- Summer schools & workshops
- Other potentially relevant events
Conferences for higher education researchers
National student success conference: Innovations and innovators in higher education
When: March 1 – 3, 2020
Where: Tampa, Florida, US
Organised by the University of South Florida
Deadline: August 26, 2019 (closed)
15. Jahrestagung GfHf
When: March 26 – 27, 2020
Where: Hamburg, Germany
Organised by the Gesellschaft für Hochschulforschung (GfHf) (Society for Higher Education Research). This event is mostly in German
Deadline: February 15, 2020 (closed)
Networked Learning Conference 2020
When: May 18 – 20, 2020 (every two years)
Where: Kolding, Denmark
Organised by the Networked Learning Conference Consortium. This is the 12th conference and focuses on networked learning in higher education and lifelong learning.
Deadline: November 15, 2019 (closed)
HEAd’20: 6th International Conference on Higher Education Advances
When: June 2 – 5, 2020
Where: Valencia, Spain
Organised by a committee based at UPV Universitat Politècnica de València
Deadline: January 24, 2020 (closed)
STLHE Annual Conference
When: June 9 – 12, 2020
Where: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Organised by the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (STHLE)
Deadline: January 15, 2020 (closed)
International Conference on Talent Development and Honors Education
When: June 10 – 12, 2020
Where: Groningen, Netherlands
Organised by the Research Centre Talent Development in Higher Education and Society and Hanze Honors College at Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen, the Netherlands in close cooperation with the CoTalent project group and the European Honors Council
Deadline: January 15, 2020 (closed)
EFYE 2020 European First Year Experience Conference
When: June 15 – 17, 2020
Where: Aarhus, Denmark
Organised by the EFYE Network
Deadline: January 15, 2020 (closed). EFYE 2020 postponed to June 2021.
CED 2020 “The Future-Ready Graduate”
When: June 15 – 18, 2020 (every two years)
Where: Zurich, Switzerland
Organised by the International Consortium for Educational Development (ICED)
Deadline: November 17, 2019 (first call)
The 7th International Academic Identities Conference: The Meaningful University: Exploring Contemporary Complexities and Challenges and working towards what matters
When: June 22 – 24, 2020
Where: Roskilde, Denmark
Organised by Critical University Studies Research Group; Centre for Research on Problem-oriented Project Learning; Unit of Academic Development (Roskilde University, Denmark)
Deadline: December 1, 2019 (closed). The Meaningful University conference has been cancelled.
EARLI SIG 1 & 4 joint conference: Exploring research synergies to learn from each other
When: June 22 – 25, 2020
Where: Cadiz, Spain
Organised by the EARLI SIG 1& 4 Steering Committee and Organizing Team
Deadline: January 12, 2020 (closed). Conference cancelled. Next conference scheduled for 2022.
HERDSA 2020 Annual Conference
When: June 30 – July 3, 2020
Where: Brisbane, Australia
Organised by the Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia (HERDSA)
Deadline: February 7, 2020 (closed). HERDSA 2020 cancelled. HERDSA 2021 scheduled for July 2021.
FACE Conference 2020: Forum for Access and Continuing Education Annual Conference
When: July 1 – 3, 2020
Where: London, UK
Organised by FACE
Deadline: FACE 2020 has been cancelled
Higher Education Close Up 10 (HECU10)
When: July 6 – 8, 2020
Where: Lancaster, UK
Organised by Lancaster University
Deadline: February 28, 2020 (closed). Conference postponed.
International Higher Education Teaching and Learning Conference
When: August 10 – 13, 2020
Where: Johannesburg, South Africa
Organised jointly by the International Higher Education Teaching and Learning (HETL) and the University of South Africa
Deadline: January 30, 2020 (closed)
42nd EAIR Annual Forum: Sustaining the Future of Higher Education
When: August 20 – 22, 2020
Where: Cork, Ireland
Organised by The European Higher Education Society (EAIR)
Deadline: February 16, 2020 (closed)
26th Nordic Academy of Management Conference
When: August 25 – 27, 2021 (every two years)
Where: Örebro, Sweden
Organised by the Nordic Academy of Management
Deadline: January 30, 2021
RAISE 2020: Researching, Advancing and Inspiring Student Engagement
When: September 2 – 3, 2020
Where: Lincoln, England
Organised by RAISE
Deadline: April 20, 2020 (closed)
CHER 2020: Engaged Universities: (De)constructing the Theory, Practice and Culture of Engagement in Higher Education
When: September 2 – 4, 2020
Where: Rijeka, Croatia
Organised by the Consortium of Higher Education Researchers (CHER)
Deadline: March 31, 2020 (closed)
Pre-Conference for the XI European Conference on Gender Equality in Higher Education: Gender perspectives on scientific research: History, Epistemology and Networks
When: September 14 – 15, 2020
Where: Madrid, Spain
Organised by EPWS
Deadline: March 3, 2020 (closed)
XI European Conference on Gender Equality in Higher Education
When: September 16 – 18, 2020
Where: Madrid, Spain
Organised by EPWS
Deadline: March 7, 2020 (closed)
Philosophy and Theory of Higher Education Conference (PHEC)
When: 19 – 20 October, 2020
Where: Uppsala, Sweden
Organised by Uppsala University, Disciplinary Domain of Humanities and Social Sciences
Deadline: February 28, 2020 (closed)
45th Annual ASHE Conference
When: November 18 – 19, 2020 (pre-conference); November 19 – 21, 2020 (conference)
Where: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Organised by the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE)
Deadline: April 23, 2020
SRHE Newer & Early Career Researchers Conference
When: December 8, 2020 before the SRHE Annual Research Conference
Where: Newport, Wales
Organised by the Society for Research into Higher Education (SRHE)
Deadline: To be announced (usually in June)
SRHE International Conference on Research into Higher Education
When: December 9 – 11, 2020
Where: Newport, Wales
Organised by the Society for Research into Higher Education (SRHE)
Deadline: To be announced (usually in June)
Education conferences with tracks on higher education
NERA 2020
When: March 4 – 6, 2020
Where: Turku, Finland
Organised by the Department of Education, University of Turku
Deadline: November 15, 2019 (closed)
CIES 2020
When: March 22 – 26, 2020
Where: Miami, USA
Organised by the Comparative and International Education Society (CIES)
Deadline: Submission has now closed
2020 AERA Annual Meeting
When: April 17 – 21, 2020
Where: San Francisco, USA
Organised by the American Educational Research Association (AERA)
Deadline: July 10, 2019 (closed)
NAFSA 2020 Annual Conference & Expo
When: May 24 – 29, 2020
Where: Missouri, USA
Organised by the Association of International Educators (NAFSA)
Deadline: December 11, 2019 (closed)
CESE2020 COMPARATIVE EDUCATION SOCIETY IN EUROPE XXIX Conference
When: May 26 – 29, 2020
Where: Reggio Emilia, Italy
Organised by the Comparative Education Society in Europe
Deadline: 15 February, 2020 (closed)
World Education Research Association Focal Meeting 2020 (WERA 2020)
When: July 1 – 3, 2020
Where: Galicia, Spain
Organised by the World Education Research Association (WERA) and has a Doctoral and Early Career Network (DEC)
Deadline: December 1, 2019 (closed)
4th Annual International Symposium on “Higher Education in a Global World”
When: July 6 – 9, 2020
Where: Athens, Greece
Organised by the Education Unit of ATINER (Athens Institute for Education and Research)
Deadline: December 2, 2019 (closed)
JURE 2020
When: July 13 – 17, 2020
Where: Porto, Portugal
Organised by the European Association for Research on Learning and Instruction (EARLI). Aimed at junior researchers (PhD, MA or MSc students, as well as graduates who have received their doctorate within the last two years)
Deadline: December 10, 2019 (closed). JURE2020 has been cancelled.
International Standing Conference on History of Education (ISCHE 42)
When: August 19 – 22, 2020
Where: Örebro, Sweden
Organised by the International Standing Conference for the History of Education Theme: “Looking from Above and Below: Rethinking the Social in the History of Education”
Deadline: December 31, 2019 (closed)
ECER 2020, Emerging Researchers’ Conference (ERC)
When: August 24 – 25, 2020
Where: Glasgow, Scotland
Organised by EERA’s Emerging Researchers’ Group. The Emerging Researchers’ Conference (ERC) precedes ECER
Deadline: January 31, 2020 (closed). ECER 2020 has been cancelled.
ECER 2020, Glasgow (European Conference on Educational Research)
When: August 25 – 28, 2020
Where: Glasgow, Scotland
Organised by the European Educational Research Association (EERA). It is the largest gathering of researchers of all aspects of education across Europe and it includes several networks relevant to higher education.
Deadline: January 31, 2020 (closed). ECER 2020 has been cancelled.
BERA Conference 2020
When: September 8 – 10, 2020
Where: Liverpool, UK
Organised by the British Educational Research Association (BERA) There is a higher education special interest group and another for early-career researchers. A number of bursaries are available (deadline: February 26, 2020)
Deadline: January 31, 2020 (closed)
Barcelona 2020: 32nd Annual EAIE Conference and Exhibition
When: September 15 – 18, 2020
Where: Barcelona, Spain
Organised by the European Association for International Education (EAIE)
Deadline: November 4, 2019 (closed)
Other established conferences with higher education tracks
Congress of the Humanities and the Social Sciences 2020
When: May 30 – June 5, 2020
Where: Ontario, Canada
Organised by the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences. The conference includes the Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education‘s (CSSHE) conference
Deadline: January 20, 2020 (closed)
2020 EFMD Annual Conference
When: June 7 – 9, 2020
Where: Lyon, France
Organised by the EFMD Global Network
Deadline: Registration is currently open
2020 University-Industry Interaction Conference
When: June 9 – 11, 2020
Where: Budapest, Hungary
Organised by the University Industry Innovation Network (UIIN)
Deadline: December 16, 2019 (closed)
GEA Conference 2020
When: June 15 – 18, 2020
Where: Calgary, Canada
Organised by the Gender and Education Association
Deadline: November 30, 2019 (closed)
ICTeSSH 2020 International Conference on information-communication technologies enhanced Social Sciences and Humanities
When: June 29 – July 1 2020
Where: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Organised by ICTeSSH
Deadline: November 29, 2019 (closed)
IWPP 2 – QUITO 2020
When: July 1 – 3, 2020
Where: Quito, Ecuador
Organised by the International Public Policy Association (IPPA) The conference has panels on higher education (T02, P01 for example)
Deadline: January 31, 2020 (closed)
36th EGOS Colloquium
When: July 2 – 4, 2020
Where: Hamburg, Germany
Organised by the European Group for Organizational Studies (EGOS)
This time, there will be 3 sub-themes (i.e. tracks) potentially interesting for higher education scholars:
Sub-theme 25: Higher Education Institutions and Rising Inequality
Sub-theme 35: On Doing Work That Matters and Leading Meaningful Lives in Academia
Sub-theme 57: The End of Academia as We Know It? Challenges to Universities and Possible Reactions
Deadline: January 14, 2020 (closed)
6th International Conference on Computational Social Science
When: July 17 – 20, 2020
Where: Massachusetts, USA
Organised by IC²S²
Deadline: February 16, 2020 (closed)
ECPR 14th General Conference
When: August 26 – 28, 2020
Where: Innsbruck, Austria
Organised by the European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR) Sections on higher education (S03, S32); grants covering some attendance costs available
Deadline: February 18, 2020 (closed)
UACES 50th Annual Conference
When: September 6 – 9, 2020
Where: Belfast, Northern Ireland
Organised by the Academic Association for Contemporary European Studies (UACES)
Deadline: January 19, 2020 (closed)
Summer schools & workshops
16th Workshop on New Institutionalism in Organization Theory
When: March 5 – 6, 2020
Where: Odense, Denmark
Organised by Department of Marketing and Management, University of Southern Denmark & New Institutionalism Network
Deadline: November 16, 2019 (closed)
Creative and Innovative Methodologies in Education Research
When: April 6 – 7, 2020
Where: Loughborough, UK
Organised by BERA ECR Network & EERA Network 18 Research in Sport Pedagogy. There are some EERA bursaries available for ECRs from low-GDP countries and BERA event bursaries
Deadline: The event is fully booked (closed)
International Students as Partners Institute (ISaPI)
When: May 20 – 22, 2020
Where: Ontario, Canada
Organised by the Paul R. MacPherson Institute for Leadership, Innovation, & Excellence in Teaching & Learning, McMaster University, Canada
Deadline: February 3, 2020 (applications closed)
9th Doctoral Student Forum
When: May 24, 2020
Where: Beijing, China
Organised by the Institute of Education, Tsinghua University (IOE) in conjunction with the 4th Tsinghua International Conference on Future Education
Deadline: March 29, 2020 (closed). Email: thuioephdforum@163.com for more information
International Summer School on Higher Education Research
When: May 24 – 30, 2020
Where: St. Petersburg, Russia
Organised by the HSE Institute of Education. This is the 8th International Summer School, “Theoretical and Conceptual Perspectives in Higher Education Research“. Ten fee scholarships are available
Deadline: March 1, 2020 (closed)
Summer School in European Education Studies (SUSEES)
When: May 27 – 29, 2020
Where: Leuven, Belgium
Organised by IRPPS – National Research Council Italy, University of Strasbourg, École normale supérieure de Lyon and EERA Network 28 – Sociologies of Education
Deadline: April 15, 2020
5th Paper Development Workshop in Organization and Management Studies for PhD Students and Early Career Scholars in Central Eastern and South Eastern Europe (CESEE)
When: June 11 – 12, 2020
Where: St. Petersburg, Russia
Organised by the European Group for Organizational Studies (EGOS), Organization Studies (OS), and Organization Theory (OT), in collaboration with the OMT Division of the Academy of Management
Deadline: January 25, 2020 (closed)
11th History of Education Doctoral Summer School (HEDSS)
When: June 11 – 14, 2020
Where: Lyon, France
Organised by EERA Network 17 – Histories of Education. Limited to 30 students, ISCHE travel bursaries are available to students from low-GDP countries
Deadline: December 31, 2019 (closed)
EERA Summer School 2020: “Beyond the Basics in Educational Research Methodology: Research ethics in educational research“
When: June 22 – 26, 2020
Where: Jyvaskyla, Finland
Organised by EERA the fees are lower for students from low-GDP countries
Deadline: January 31, 2020 (closed)
EGOS Pre-Colloquium PhD Workshop 2020
When: June 30, 2020
Where: Hamburg, Germany
Organised by the European Group for Organizational Studies (EGOS)
Deadline: January 14, 2020 (closed)
EGOS Pre-Colloquium Post-Doctoral & Early Career Scholars Workshop 2020
When: June 30, 2020
Where: Hamburg, Germany
Organised by the European Group for Organizational Studies (EGOS)
Deadline: January 14, 2020 (closed)
12th International EUREDOCS Conference
When: July 6 – 8, 2020
Where: Porto, Portugal
Organised by EUREDOCS European Research and Higher Education Doctoral Studies
Deadline: April 30, 2020
18th SCANCOR PhD Workshop on Institutional Analysis When: August 31 – September 4, 2020
Where: Helsinki, Finland Organised by the Scandinavian Consortium for Organizational Research
Deadline: March 30, 2020 (closed)
How to Make Theory Work in Higher Education Research and Science Studies
When: September 7 – 11, 2020
Where: Hanover, Germany
Organised by Leibniz Center for Science and Society, Leibniz University Hannover
Deadline: April 22, 2020
Other potentially relevant events
The SAS 2020 Disciplinary Landscape forum
When: June 13 – 15, 2020
Where: Tyumen, Russia
Organised by School of Advanced Studies, University of Tyumen
Deadline: March 1, 2020 (closed)
2020 Higher Education Financial Wellness Summit
When: July 19 – 21, 2020
Where: Lincoln, Nebraska, US
Organised by HEFWA at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Deadline: Registration for the Summit will open in January 2020
Rachel Spacey is Research Fellow, Lincoln Higher Education Research Institute where she focuses on widening participation and the student experience. Rachel sees herself as an early-career scholar in higher education research, having moved disciplines, but she has been working as a researcher for 15 years. You can find Rachel on Twitter @DrRESpacey