The 2026 Learning Development in Higher Education Conference
University of Leeds
12th June and 16th – 17th June 2026
Join us for three days of stimulating discussion and inspiring sessions – both online and in-person, in the vibrant city of Leeds, a dynamic hub of innovation, culture, and Yorkshire charm.
Our online conference will be held on Friday, 12th June, while the in-person conference will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, 16th – 17th June 2026, at the University of Leeds.
The ALDinHE conference is a supportive and welcoming environment that promotes creative collaboration between Learning Developers (LDers) and is always popular, with a regular attendance of around 200 delegates from the UK and beyond.
The deadline for proposals is 12 January 2026 at 17:00 (UK time)
Timeline of key dates leading to #ALDcon26
Before submitting a proposal, please ensure you can meet the deadlines required of a presenter:
| Deadline Dates | Activity |
| Monday 24 November 2025 (5pm GMT): | Deadline to request a proposal mentor |
| Monday 12 January 2026 (5pm GMT): | Call for proposal closes |
| Monday 9 February 2026 (5pm GMT): | Proposal decisions issued |
| Monday 23 February 2026 (5pm GMT): | Updated proposals due (if amendments are requested) |
| Monday 30 March 2026 (9am GMT): | Early bird registration opens. Conference funding applications open |
| Monday 13 April 2026 (5pm GMT): | Conference funding applications close |
| Monday 20 April 2026 (5pm GMT): | Early bird registration closes |
| Tuesday 21 April 2026 (5pm GMT): | Standard ticket prices opens |
| Monday 1 June 2026 (5pm GMT): | In-person and online registration and session sign up close |
| Monday 11 May 2026 (5pm GMT): | Deadline for presenter profiles |
| Monday 25 May 2026 (5pm GMT): | Deadline for slides and posters |
| Thursday 5 June 2026 (4pm GMT): | Evening online social event for all ALDcon26 delegates |
| Friday 12 June 2026: | Online conference |
| Tuesday – Wednesday 16-17 June 2026: | In-person conference |
Conference Themes
The 2026 conference will present an overarching theme, accompanied by four sub themes, outlined below. Proposals must be explicitly aligned with one or more of these sub-themes to ensure coherence and relevance.
Main theme: Adapting, sharing and advocating effective learning development practice to promote student learning
We will focus on the dynamic and responsive nature of our profession, exploring how we develop, share, and champion effective practices within our institutions and the sector, ensuring our work has a tangible impact on student learning and how we adapt to change in a rapidly evolving learning landscape.
Sub-theme 1 The learning developer as an advocate: strategies for demonstrating impact and securing institutional buy-in
Key question: How can we effectively communicate the value of learning development to senior management, academic colleagues and the wider HE sector?
Sub-theme 2 Disciplinary-specific interventions: experiences from fields such as engineering, medicine, or the humanities which foreground collaborative working with students and staff within disciplines
Key question: What does an effective model for embedding learning development within a specific discipline look like?
Sub-theme 3 Digital innovation in practice: Using technology in learning development and/or enabling greater levels of critical engagement with technology.
Key question: What new digital tools or platforms are informing and shaping the way we support student learning?
Sub-theme 4 Blended learning models: Successful blended learning models and the lessons learned from their implementation.
Key question: How can we combine face-to-face and online learning development support to create flexible and effective support for student learning?
As well as practice orientated submissions, we welcome conceptual, thought-experiment, argumentative, provocative submissions.
As always, in addition to lots of lively discussion, practice-sharing and networking, the conference will offer plenty of valuable CPD opportunities, opportunities to learn more about ALDinHE, and the chance to get more involved with the exciting and valuable work of the Association.
The deadline for proposal submissions is:
12 January 2026 at 17:00 (UK time)
Please review the guidelines below and submit your proposal.
This year, we encourage diversification in the formats available to delegates, such as increasing the number of posters, resource showcases, and lightning talks. We recommend that presenters, in line with the conference theme, think creatively about the format they would like to deliver.
You may choose to submit a proposal for one of the following formats:
- 60-minute workshop
- 20-minute paper presentation
- 5-minute lightning talk
- Poster
- Resource showcase
- Practitioner mini-keynote
- Wild Card
Please visit the ALDCon26 website for the proposal submission guidelines, proposal writing guidance, the proposal review process, and key conference deadlines.
The deadline for proposal submissions is:
12 January 2026 at 17:00 (UK time)
Proposal Mentoring
f you haven’t presented at the ALDinHE conference before, you can request a mentor to guide you through the submission and preparation processes.* A mentor can support you in the following areas:
Preparing a proposal
- Discussing the format of previous ALDinHE conference sessions.
- Talking through your ideas for a submission.
- Offering informal feedback on an abstract draft.
- Discussing how to approach any requested revisions.
Preparing your session
- Providing feedback on draft slides.
- Watching a practice run of your session online and giving you feedback.
- Technical aspects of poster preparation.
The deadline to request a proposal mentor is Monday 24 November 2024 by 5 pm (UK time). This will give us enough time to ensure we can find you a suitable mentor and that your mentor can help you with your proposal.
*Please note that a conference mentor does not guarantee that a submission will be accepted. If you would like to request a mentor, please contact admin@aldinhe.ac.uk.
Delegate Fees
Registration will open on Monday, 30 March 2026. The ticket prices for ALDCon26 are outlined below. The online conference is on Friday 12 June 2026 and the in-person conference is on Tuesday and Wednesday 16th and 17th June 2026.
Early Bird Ticket Prices* – available until Monday, 20 April 2026 by 5 pm (UK time):
| Ticket type | ALDinHE members | Non- members |
| Full conference (two days in-person plus one online) | £296.70 | £371.45 |
| Two days in-person | £234.60 | £293.25 |
| One day in-person + online | £203.55 | £254.15 |
| One day in-person | £125.35 | £156.40 |
| Online day | £78.20 | £97.75 |
*Please note that if you are paying by BACS (Bankers’ Automated Clearing Services), we must receive your funds before Tuesday 21st April 2026 to be eligible for early bird prices.
Ticket prices from Tuesday, 21st April 2026 at 5 pm (UK time):
In-person and online registration closes Monday 1st June 2026 at 5pm (UK time)
| Ticket type | ALDinHE members | Non- members |
| Full conference (two days in-person plus one online) | £349.60 | £437.00 |
| Two days in-person | £276.00 | £345.00 |
| One day in-person + online | £239.20 | £299.00 |
| One day in-person | £147.20 | £184.00 |
| Online day | £92.00 | £115.00 |
Fee Waiver Scheme
The fee waiver scheme is open for presenters whose institutions will not fund the cost of a conference place. These will be on an application-only basis. An application for a fee waiver can be submitted between Monday 30 March 2026 (9am GMT) – Monday 13 April 2026 (5pm GMT).
Future Hosting
We are actively seeking additional potential hosts, particularly from Wales, the Midlands, Northern England, Ireland, and Northern Ireland. If you are interested in hosting the conference at your university and showcasing the local area, please complete an expression of interest.
The deadline for proposal submissions is:
12 January 2026 at 17:00 (UK time)
We look forward to receiving your proposals.