FERA Conference 2026
August 17-18th, 2026
Tampere, Finland
Submissions open on March 17th, 2026
Deadline for Submissions April 30th, 2026
(Decisions are informed by May 15th)
The theme for FERA 2026 – Educational science knowledge and societal impact – do we have the power? – calls us to reflect on the impact of our educational research and practice. Especially in Finland, we have trusted that decision-makers have at least the desire to make decisions based on research. But what is our impact in the end? Is it changing? Are we being heard, how and when? How can we think of educational challenges together?
This theme invites us to look critically at our research, theoretical development, and practices and consider ways to make them more visible and impactful for policy makers, the education community, and stakeholders nationally and internationally. It also calls for joint action and rethinking how we collectively can be stronger.
Discussion Sessions will be organised in collaboration with the Association’s Scientific Interest Groups.
- Sociology of Education Group (Kasvatussosiologian verkosto) –
- Educational Psychology and Learning Research Special Interest Group (Kasvatuspsykologian ja oppimistutkimuksen verkosto)
- Feministic Research of Education Group (Kasvatuksen ja koulutuksen feministisen tutkimuksen verkosto)
- History and Philosophy of Education Network (Kasvatuksen historian ja filosofian verkosto)
- Educational Research to Promote Sustainable Development Group (Kestävä kehitys kasvatuksessa ja koulutuksessa -verkosto)
- Cultural-Historical Activity Theory Special Interest Group (CHAT) (Kulttuurihistoriallisen toiminnanteorian -teemaryhmä)
- Interaction Research Group (Vuorovaikutustutkimuksen verkosto)
- Art Education Group (Taide- ja taitokasvatuksen tutkimuksen verkosto)
- Network for Guidance and Counselling Research (Ohjausalan tutkimuksen verkosto)
- Global Education Research in Finland (Globaalikasvatuksen tutkimuksen verkosto)
- Family Research Group (Perhe -erityisteemaryhmä)
- Digital Technology and Media in Teaching and Learning (Digitaalinen teknologia ja media oppimisessa ja opetuksessa)
- Education, Administration and Science (Sivistys, hallinto ja tutkimus -erityisteemaryhmä)
- Early Childhood Education ja Early Childhood Special Education Network (Varhaiskasvatuksen ja varhaiserityiskasvatuksen SIG)
- Teacher Education Research Group (Opettajankoulutuksen tutkimuksen erityisteemaryhmä)
- Eye Tracking and Process Research in Education Special Interest Group (FinETS)
Submissions and working method for FERA 2026
Considering FERA’s exceptional circumstances this year, the scientific program will emphasize interaction and educational discussion among colleagues. Instead of research paper or poster presentations, we propose a research-based discussion session on specific discussion topics. To participate in the discussion sessions, you are invited to submit a contribution piece (see guidelines below).
All submissions will be analysed by a group of representatives of the association’s Special Interest Groups and invited scholars. Submissions in each discussion topic will be compiled and brought up to be discussed during the conference in discussion sessions, and they will be shared to participants in advance to serve as a basis for discussion (see more information below).
Submitting a contribution piece
Contribution pieces are written in the format of an extended abstract or short essay with 800-1200 words. It is an argument driven text that draws on the author’s empirical work, theoretical orientation, or professional practice and has the primary purpose to open a generative dialogue with other scholars, rather than to report finished research.
We expect the contribution pieces to be structured in the following way:
- Title
A clear, meaningful title that signals the core idea or provocation. It should express what conversation you want others to enter, not simply the topic.
Examples: “Rethinking Learning Environments Through Relational Ethics” or “What Counts as Evidence in Early Childhood Practice? A Provocation”
- LocatingYourself and Your Work
A brief positioning section that explains: Who you are as a researcher/practitioner. The context you’re drawing from (empirical study, theory, practice setting).Why this topic matters in the broader educational landscape. This orients readers and makes transparent the standpoint from which your questions arise — essential for meaningful dialogue.
- Core Insight or Tension
A key idea, insight, or surprising finding or a tension, contradiction, or problem in their field/practice. This is not a full research report although it can derive from it. It should be succinct, conceptually clear, theoretically or empirically grounded, and intentionally unfinished to offer a meaningful but open-ended contribution that others can extend, contest, or connect with their own work.
- Dialogue Invitations
Instead of the typical “discussion” section, this is where the author actively builds bridges to others’ scholarship and perspectives. This may include:
(A) points of connection, linking your idea/tension to other theories, debates in education, methodological challenges, or shared practical dilemmas.
(B) Questions for Co-Thinking, guided by genuine questions, not rhetorical ones. This shows where dialogue is possible.
(C) Proposed Directions for Collective Inquiry, raising possibilities for collaborative conceptual expansions or provocations that invite multiple interpretations.
- Reflective Closing
A short reflection that summarizes why this contribution matters for the collective field, and how it invites others to bring their own tensions, insights, or discomforts.
Technical guidelines for preparing your submission
Submissions will be accepted in Finnish, Swedish, and English.
Avoid providing identifying information about authors in your contribution piece. You may use a small piece of evidence or illustration, such as a short vignette, a quote, or a theoretical excerpt that provides grounding. However, tables and figures are not supported in the submission process.
We assume that the first author is the corresponding/presenting author. If not, please email the conference organizers. First authors must register for the conference until May 20th, 2026, or the contribution will be dropped from the program.
Acknowledgements and further information will be sent to the first author only. The first author of each paper is asked to be in touch with all co-authors.
An individual can submit no more than two contribution pieces as a first author, but may be part of the group in other proposals.
You can find a Template for submission here.
Guidelines for participating in Discussion Sessions
Discussion sessions will be chaired by one/two representatives of FERA’s SIG members or by guest scholars invited by the conference organisers. The chair(s) will present a compilation of contributions for each discussion session and will coordinate the discussion. The discussion sessions have a duration of 90 minutes and are structured in the following way:
Opening (5 minutes)
The chair introduces the cluster theme, the process, and the aim, generating dialogue. They may showcase some of the most recurring lines of argument or most impactful questions.
Author Round: 1-minute offerings (5-10minutes total)
Authors who would like can give one sentence describing their key points and bring a genuine question they hope others respond to. A max of 10 authors will be expected to speak.
DialogicWeaving (45 minutes)
The chair weaves the discussion by connecting resonances, contrasting surface tensions, or extending argumentation.
Collective Harvesting (10 minutes)
The chair facilitates quick reflections based on prompting questions such as:
- What conceptual shifts happened?
- What surprised us?
- What new questions emerged?
Reflections will be captured on a whiteboard or shared document, which will become the cluster’s knowledge artefact for the conference and will be made available for all participants of that session.
Closing (2–3 minutes)
Chair closes the session, summarising 2-3 insights, naming possibilities for cross-cluster conversations later.
The discussion sessions will be open for all conference participants. However, only the accepted and selected contribution pieces will be invited to present their ideas. The discussion sessions adopt a flipped learning approach; therefore, all accepted contributions will be shared with conference participants prior to the conference, allowing time to familiarise yourself with the materials.