SIG 4 & 11 Conference 2026

10-12th of June, 2026, University of Helsinki, Finland

Innovation and Reflection in Teacher Education and Higher Education

By bringing together two long-standing EARLI special interest groups SIG 4 Higher Education and SIG 11 Teacher Education the “Joint SIG4 & SIG11 Conference 2026” provides an opportunity to initiate, foster and consolidate synergies and collaborations in research areas present in both communities.

We warmly welcome you to the EARLI SIG 4 & 11 conference in Helsinki!

Keynotes

2023 03 Uni Oulu Talent Boost 247 Lo Res

Prof. Sanna Järvelä (University of Oulu)

10th of June 2026

Prof. Robert Kordts (University of Bergen)

11th of June 2026

JURE: Dr. Kristiina Räihä (University of Helsinki)

12th of June 2026

Balancing ACT: The promise of psychological flexibility in promoting university students’ study ability

JURE: Dr. Emma Kurenlahti (University of Helsinki)

12th of June 2026

The construction of evil in educational communities amidst the sustainability crisis

Important dates

Submission opens

12th September 2025
Submission deadline

10th November 2025
Reviewer deadline

10th December 2025
Start of registration

15th January 2026
Early Bird and Presenter Registration Deadline

15th February 2026
Conference

10-12th June 2026

Registration

The conference fees will be announced shortly.

The conference fee includes registration, coffee breaks, lunch, the evening reception on Wednesday and conference dinner on Thursday.

Early bird (deadline 15th February):

EARLI member:

Non-member:

JURE member:

Non-JURE (PhD) student:

Late registration:

EARLI member:

Non-member:

JURE member:

Non-JURE (PhD) student:

EARLI Membership

Check the website https://www.earli.org/join for more information on EARLI membership benefits.

Cancellation policy

Programme

The detailed programme will be updated here closer to the conference.

Opening Reception

We are happy to invite you all to the opening reception of the SIG 4 & 17 Conference in Helsinki on Wednesday, June 10th, the the Helsinki City Hall. This event provides an excellent opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with fellow researchers in a relaxed and welcoming setting. No registration is required - simply come and be part of an evening dedicated to fostering connections and collaboration.

Location: Pohjoisesplanadi 11-13, 00170 Helsinki

Date: 10 June 2026 at 19:00

Dinner

Join us for a conference dinner on June 11, 2026, at the unique Valkosaari Telakka, located on the small island of Valkosaari off the coast of Helsinki. The evening begins with a short ferry ride across the harbor, leading to a welcoming atmosphere with a selection of drinks, including non-alcoholic options. Guests will enjoy a delicious dinner, followed by live music and dancing, with stunning views of the city and the sea. Valkosaaren Telakka offers the perfect setting for an unforgettable evening of networking and celebration.

Menu:

Location: Blekholmen, 00140 Helsinki

Ferry transport (approx. 5 minutes) will run continuously between the mainland and the venue (Valkosaari), using boats for 20 or 60 passengers.

Date: 11 June 2024 at 18:00

Please note that while the conference dinner is included in the registration fee, you need to register for the dinner.

REGISTRATION LINK

Programme overview

Preliminary programme EARLI SIG 4 & SIG 11 Conference in Helsinki

Wednesday 10.6.2026

9:30 Opening session

10-11 Keynote

11-12 Sessions

12-13 Lunch

13-14:30 Sessions

14:30 -15 Coffee

15-17:30 Sessions

19:00 Welcome reception at City Hall

Thursday 11.6.2026

9:30-11:00 Sessions

11:00 – 12:00 Keynote

12-13 Lunch

13-14:30 Sessions

14:30-15 Coffee

15-17:30 Sessions

Conference Dinner 18 o'clock at Valkosaaren Telakka

Friday 12.6.2026

9:30-11:00 Sessions

11:00 – 12:00 Keynote JURE SIG 4 and SIG 11 keynotes from Helsinki

12-13 Lunch

13-14:30 Sessions

14:30-15 Coffee

Important Information for the conference

1. Please remember to bring your own laptop. HDMI cables will be provided for connecting to the projector. If your device does not have an HDMI port (e.g., some Macbooks), kindly bring the necessary adapter or extension cable.

2. For reasons of sustainability, we ask you to bring your own water bottles to help reducing waste. You can fill you water bottles at the conference venue, tap water in Finland is safe to drink.

3. Below you can find Google Maps links to the main locations.

Conference venue: Porthania

Conference venue: Language centre

Opening reception: City Hall

Conference dinner: Valkosaaren Telakka (Valkosaari shipyard)

Presentation formats

Symposia

Symposia will consist of three to four papers and a discussant. Each paper should be allocated 15-20 minutes for presentation, 10-15 minutes for the discussant, and some time for open discussion (we are, however, open for innovative ideas – please contact us if you wish to organize your symposium in a different way). Symposia organizers have to nominate the discussant who is responsible for integrating the individual contributions. We encourage international collaborations.

Paper session

This format allows researchers to present their empirical or theoretical work. Presentations have a duration of 20 minutes (15 minutes for the presentation and 5 minutes for discussion).

Guided poster presentations

Please provide the scientific posters in portrait format and A0 size. We plan for substantial-length and high-attendance poster sessions. The sessions will start with 3-minute blitz presentations in plenary, ensuring enough time for discussion to make this an interactive format. Please do not use a PowerPoint presentation for this short pitch! Please prepare yourself to capture the audience's interest in just a few sentences. We will be strict on time, so it is your responsibility to stay within the 2-minute limit. Poster sessions will last 60 minutes. The audience may offer their viewpoints and share their experiences with similar tools or different tools for the same purpose.

Collaborative space

This format allows presenters to share and discuss empirical work at an early stage, such as research ideas, work in progress, or experiments with new ideas or tools. Presentations last around 20 minutes (possibly supported by printouts), followed by 10 minutes for discussion and clarification questions. This is just an indication of how we envision collaborative spaces to function. Based on the needs of the presenting author, we allow for more flexibility. Please ensure that your session does not exceed 1 hour and 30 minutes in total.

See below for a suggestion on how to structure your presentation.

Session organizers present themselves and their current ideas (which they submitted to the conference) in max. 20 minutes (possibly supported by printouts). These presentations should include the following items:

goal of project ideas (e.g., grant submission, publication),
topic area,
(likely) research methods,
planned outcomes.

Participants split up into several subgroups with each at least one facilitator, based on their interests. This phase may take from 30 to 60 minutes (depending on the total time frame). In each subgroup, participants present themselves and their current ideas (if applicable) very shortly; an in-depth discussion of collaboration possibilities follows.

The last 30 to 45 minutes of the session are used for bringing together the ideas discussed in the subgroups. Session organizers will present their views in a short wrap-up (max. 15 minutes), followed by a final plenary discussion. In the subgroup phase, it is of paramount importance that participants (other than the organizers) are motivated to express and (further) develop their own (and collaborative) research ideas.

Venue

Welcome to Helsinki!

The conference will take place at the centrally located venues of Porthania and the Language Centre, University of Helsinki, in the heart of Helsinki.

Conference Venue

Porthania (Yliopistonkatu 3) & Language Centre (Fabianinkatu 26)

The conference sessions will be held in Porthania and the University of Helsinki Language Centre, which are part of the same city block as the University’s Main Library (Kaisa House). These buildings are centrally located in Helsinki and closely connected, Porthania and the Language Centre are adjacent to each other, with the Language Centre nestled between Porthania and the library.

Image rights Helsinki University Material Bank

About the University of Helsinki

The University of Helsinki is Finland’s oldest and largest university, founded in 1640. With more than 40,000 students and researchers, it is an internationally recognised centre for research and education, consistently ranked among the world’s top universities. The university’s four campuses with 11 faculties in Helsinki make it an integral part of the city’s cultural and intellectual life, bringing together a diverse academic community committed to making a genuine and global impact on the future.

Accessibility information:

Porthania and the Language Centre are generally accessible for visitors with mobility or sensory needs. Both buildings provide step-free entry, lifts, and accessible toilets, as well as clear signage to support navigation.

You can find a detailed breakdown of the accessibility information for the conference venues below:

Travel and Accommodation

Hotel recommendations

Helsinki offers plenty of options for accommodation, from hotels and cozy homestays to self-catering apartments. To make planning easier, we’ve highlighted a few places near the conference venue.

Solo Sokos Hotel is located directly next to the conference venue, which offers the ultimate convenience for attending the conference. With the booking code BSIG26, special rates are available: €165 per night for a standard single room and €185 per night for a standard double room.

Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel is located only a 6-minute walk from the main conference venue. With the booking code BSIG26, special rates are available: €159 per night for a standard single room and €179 per night for a standard double room.

Both room rates include a hotel breakfast, guest sauna access, wireless internet (Wi-Fi), and VAT. The code is valid until 27th of May 2026.

Hotel Arthur is located in the heart of Helsinki, within a 7-minute walk from the main conference venue. This hotel offers an affordable option whilst being in a central location.

Travel to and around Helsinki

The conference venue and recommended hotels are all within walking distance of each other. However, if you'd like to explore more of Helsinki and the metropolitan area, the city's public transportation system is an easy and efficient option.

You can travel across Helsinki using single tickets or day passes, which are valid on all public transportation. Tickets can be purchased from ticket machines or conveniently via the HSL app (recommended).

For more information on ticket options and validity, visit: Ticket validity and interchanging | Travelling | HSL.fi

What is HSL?
HSL (Helsinki Region Transport) is the public transport authority for Helsinki and the surrounding areas. It manages buses, trams, the metro, commuter trains, and ferries. You can plan your journey, buy tickets, and check real-time schedules using the HSL app or at www.hsl.fi.

From the Airport
Helsinki Airport (HEL) is well connected to the city center by train. The I and P trains run frequently between the airport and Helsinki Central Railway Station, with a journey time of about 30 minutes. You can use the same HSL ticket for this trip—just make sure it includes the ABC zones.

Taxis
Taxis are available at the airport and throughout the city and can also be booked in advance or ordered via mobile app.

Examples of Taxi services:

Taksi Helsinki 0100 0700 - Book a taxi 24/7

Lähitaksi - Lähitaksi

Taxi and Charter Service Kovanen - Helsinki

Parking
If you're arriving by car, public parking is available near the conference venue and hotels. Please note that parking in the city center is typically subject to a fee. We recommend checking with your hotel for nearby parking options or using the City of Helsinki parking map for up-to-date information.

Sightseeing

While attending the conference at the University of Helsinki’s city centre campus, you can explore the city’s unique history, design, and Nordic charm.

The MyHelsinki -website is very useful for navigating the city and sightseeing.

Many iconic sights are just a short walk away:

Senate Square and the University Main Building

Surrounded by grand architecture, Senate Square is the historical heart of Helsinki. The University’s own main building is part of this beautiful ensemble designed by Carl Ludvig Engel in the 19th century.

Senate Square visitor website

University main building

Address: Senaatintori, 00170 Helsinki

Helsinki Cathedral

Located just across Senate Square next to the University’s city center campus and the conference venues, this neoclassical white cathedral is one of Helsinki’s most famous landmarks. Climb the steps for a stunning view of the square and surrounding city.

Visitor’s website

Address: Unioninkatu 29, 00170 Helsinki

Market Square

A 10-minute stroll from the campus leads you to the seaside Market Square, where you can enjoy local delicacies, crafts, and ferry connections to nearby islands. Esplanade Park, just next to the market, is perfect for a leisurely walk or a coffee break.

Visitor’s website

Address: Eteläranta, 00170 Helsinki

Ateneum Art Museum: Finnish National Gallery

Located opposite the central railway station, about a 10-minute walk away from the campus, is the Ateneum houses Finland’s most extensive collection of classical Finnish art, including works by Akseli Gallen-Kallela and Helene Schjerfbeck.

Visitor’s website

Address: Kaivokatu 2, 00100 Helsinki

Suomenlinna Sea Fortress

A UNESCO World Heritage Site just a short ferry ride from Market Square. HSL public transport tickets are valid in Suomenlinna ferries. This historical island fortress is a perfect destination for a half-day trip, combining nature, history, and beautiful sea views.

Visitor's website