Eligibility
Students must be enrolled in an accredited graduate program or registered for a graduate class in an accredited university as of Spring 2026. The program or class does not have to be directly related to the field of education. Students must be in good academic standing.
Applicants may submit more than one proposal and may present more than once at the conference.
Submission criteria
Abstracts must be between 250 and 400 words (for Paper, Round Table, and Poster) in length (not including references).
By submitting the abstract, the author(s) grant permission to the Graduate Student Conference Committee and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to publish their information in whole or in part for the purposes of the Graduate Student Conference.
Abstracts for Paper, Round Table, and Poster should include:
- A clear statement of the main argument and rationale for research
- A description of the research goals and questions
- An overview of the (proposed or actual) methodology, population, and materials
- Anticipated or actual results and findings
- Conclusions (for studies that have been finalized)
- The study implications and/or applications
- *Optional: A statement about the proposal's relevance to the conference theme, "The Learning Community: education as a Force for Change"
*Note: While this statement is optional and won’t affect your acceptance into the conference, adherence to the theme is considered for awards. This statement is highly encouraged for those who wish to be competitive for conference awards.
Abstracts should not include:
- Identifying information (for example, your name or project name)
- Tables, graphs, figures or illustrations
Abstracts for Workshop Sessions (only):
Please submit a one-page document or PDF for the abstract proposal that includes the following:
- 3-5 keywords that best describe the workshop focus
- A workshop description that introduces the topic, goals, and format of the workshop (e.g., demonstration, collaborative activities, or tool exploration)
- Learning Objectives that clearly state what participants will learn or be able to do after the workshop
- A Purpose and Significance section that explains the importance of the skills and relevance of the workshop to the field
- A Timeline and Session Structure session that outlines the organization of the session
- An Expected Outcomes and Implications section that summarizes what participants are expected to gain and how it contributes to teaching, research, or professional practice
- References in the appropriate format
- *Optional: A statement about the proposal's relevance to the conference theme, "The Learning Community: education as a Force for Change"
*Note: While this statement is optional and won’t affect your acceptance into the conference, adherence to the theme is considered for awards. This statement is highly encouraged for those who wish to be competitive for conference awards.
Presentation types
We are accepting proposals for four different types of presentations. Please review the details below to choose the best format for your research.
| Details | Posters | Roundtables | Papers | Workshop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recommended current stage of the research | In progress, proposed, or completed research | Any stage, including literature reviews or emerging ideas | Completed or near completed research | Workshops emphasize participation and practical learning rather than formal presentation |
| Date | Pre-conference session on March 5, 2026 | Conference session on March 6, 2026 | Conference session on March 6, 2026 | Pre-conference session on March 5, 2026 |
| Format | In-person | In-person or virtual | In-person or virtual | In-person |
| Presentation details | 1-minute lightning talk, followed by informal interactions with audience | 2–3 minute elevator pitch, followed by informal discussion with audience | Formal 15-minute slideshow followed by Q&A with audience | 1-2 hours of a hands-on activity or demonstration |
| *Additional materials (if accepted) | Poster ($36 or more**) | Encouraged to have handouts | Slideshow | Materials/Resources |
*All presentation materials must be provided in Word or PowerPoint format to ensure accessibility.
* *You will need to pay to print your own poster. See this poster printing guide from the library for on campus and commercial printing options.
Ready to submit?
Use the links below to submit your proposal. Please contact GSC if you need assistance or accommodations in order to submit your proposal.