The ICED 2026 Conference on “AGENCY AND ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT” invites us to explore the concept in depth to better understand the role of academic development centres and its academic and professional staff in transforming academic development and higher education.
Academic development, often referred to as educational development in some regions, is a field committed to bridge scholarship, practice, and policy to drive meaningful transformation in universities. At the core of this process lies the concept of agency, understood as the capacity to exert control over the actions, influence the environment and bring about change in our reality (Albert Bandura, 2001). In the context of academic development, agency is reflected in our role as change agents, influencing learning, teaching, and institutional strategies at multiple levels. Exercising agency involves challenging limitations, reconciling conflicting demands, and aligning individual and collective aspirations with broader goals. Through this engagement, we inspire teachers, students, and institutional leaders to explore new approaches that redefine the purpose and impact of higher education.
Sub-themes:
- Agency and Knowledge: Advancing
- Agency and Strategy: Enhancing Teaching, Learning and Organizational Transformation
- Agency and Students: Empowering Learners and Transforming Curriculum
The conference will be hosted by REDU (Red de Docencia Universitaria) and the University of Salamanca in Spain, from 24 – 26 June 2026.
Find more information and sign up here.