Call for Proposals

SPARK talks spotlight brief, high-impact stories about teaching and assessment—whether the strategies were successful or not. Each presenter has 10 minutes to share their approach, what happened and what they learned, to spark new ideas, critical inquiry, and collaboration. After all SPARK Talks in the session, there will be a dedicated time for participant questions and open conversation.

Spark Talks should include:

• a summary of the teaching or assessment strategy, highlighting the intended outcomes and the impact of the approach

• an overview of the strengths or challenges of the approach

Panel discussions focus on a particular topic related to teaching and learning. They should include pre-assembled speakers (a maximum of five people) representing diverse perspectives and voices, including a moderator to guide the discussion and support coherence for attendees.

The 60-minute time allotment includes a brief introduction of the topic by the moderator (5 minutes), an opportunity for each panelist to share their thoughts on the subject (25 minutes), and time for discussion/question-and-answer (30 minutes).

Note: Participants wishing to submit a panel proposal should submit a single proposal on behalf of the entire panel.

We recognize that there are many ways to design an engaging and accessible session beyond the formats described above. If you have a creative idea that doesn’t quite fit these options, we encourage you to propose it.

Possible formats might include a builder space, an escape room, a fireside chat, a live teaching demonstration, a storytelling session, a rapid roundtable discussion, or a hackathon.

At the heart of innovation lies visionary thinking. How do your forward-looking ideas reimagine teaching and learning by addressing emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities to shape the future of education?

Integrating Indigenous knowledge and practices into education is central to Truth and Reconciliation and the commitments made by post-secondary institutions. How do you enact actionable strategies for embedding Indigenous perspectives, decolonizing educational practices, and sustaining meaningful dialogue and relations to further our efforts toward reconciliation in our institutions?

See the University of Alberta’s Indigenous Strategic Plan Braiding Past, Present and Future.

Inclusive spaces elevate learning for all. Participants will explore strategies to improve equity and accessibility, build interconnected communities, and promote a strong sense of belonging in educational environments. How do you create spaces where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are nurtured?

See the University of Alberta community’s commitment to Access, Community, and Belonging.

Transformative learning begins with strategic design. How do you implement practical strategies for creating innovative, research-driven curricula that engage students, ensure accessibility, and adapt to evolving educational landscapes?

Collaboration drives transformation. How do you harness the power of partnerships among educators, students, and communities to enrich learning experiences and improve teaching practices, fostering meaningful collaboration for change?

Innovation thrives at the intersection of theory and practice. How do you connect pedagogical theories with real-world applications, emphasizing evidence-based, inclusive, and impactful approaches to enhance teaching and learning?

Leadership is the catalyst for transformative change in education and to commitments in post-secondary strategic planning. How do educational leaders engage with strategies that empower educators as change agents, inspire innovative teaching practices, and drive meaningful, student-centred transformation within their institutions?

See the University of Alberta strategic plans Shape and Education with Purpose, Braiding Past, Present and Future, Changing the Story, and Student Experience Action Plan.