Welcome to ICSEI 2026

Crossing Boundaries in Education: Fostering Innovative, Inclusive and Sustainable Learning Environments

Location: Doha, Qatar

Congress Venue: Qatar University

18 - 22 January 2026

Welcome to Doha, Qatar

Crossing Boundaries in Education: Fostering Innovative, Inclusive and Sustainable Learning Environments.

Congress sub-themes include:

Innovation in Education  

  • Technology Integration and Digital Equity: Addressing the challenges and opportunities of integrating technology in education, focusing on bridging the digital divide and ensuring equitable access to quality digital resources.
  • The Age of Artificial Intelligence: Exploring the integration of AI in teaching and learning processes, focusing on personalised education, flexible instruction, automated administrative tasks, and ethical considerations in AI applications.
  • Digital Literacy in Education: Emphasising the importance of digital literacy skills for students and educators, exploring strategies for incorporating digital literacy into curricula, enhancing critical thinking in digital environments, and ensuring students are equipped to navigate and utilise digital technologies effectively and responsibly.

Inclusivity in Learning Environments 

  • Teacher Education and Professional Development: Examining the evolving role of teachers and the need for ongoing professional development to equip educators with the skills and knowledge required in an evolving educational environment.
  • Equity and Inclusivity in Education: Recognizing the diverse needs of learners and ensuring that education systems are equitable and inclusive, accommodating diverse learning needs and backgrounds.
  • Mental Health and Well-being in Education: Highlighting the importance of mental health and well-being for students and educators and integrating well-being strategies into educational practices.

Sustainability in Education 

  • Global Collaboration and Localised Solutions: Encouraging global collaboration while focusing on localised solutions that cater to the unique needs of diverse educational systems and communities.
  • Sustainable Practices in Education: Addressing the role of education in promoting sustainability, environmental awareness, and global citizenship.
Dr Khawla Badwan
Dr. Ann Lopez

Congress Fees

Fees in Australian Dollars

Membership Early Bird Rates1 Standard Rates 2 Congress Registration- additional activities Fees
ICSEI Member $795.00 $875.00 Master Classes $75.00
Non-Member $950.00 $1,030.00 Early Career Forum $40.00
Low/lower middle income country3 $350.00 $385.00 School Visits $45.00
Student $250.00 $285.00 Conference Dinner & Entertainment $150.00

1 Early Bird Rates good through 31 October 2025 AEST
2 Standard Rates apply 1 November 2025 – 21 December 2026 AEST
3 Only those who reside in countries currently classified as lower-middle or low income by the World Bank are eligible for these rates; click here to check eligibility 

 

Program Overview

The following is a high-level overview of the ICSEI 2026 program. Please note that this program is in DRAFT form as the ICSEI Local Organising Committee may require to make additional changes. The sessions allow ICSEI 2026 participants not only to learn from leading international experts, but also to bring in their viewpoints, share their experiences and raise questions regarding their own work. 

The following is a high-level overview of the ICSEI 2026 program. Please note that the program is subject to change and will be updated with additional information as the Congress approaches. Times are Doha local time.

Note: Registration includes lunch.

Pre-Conference Sessions

Sunday 18th January

Time

18 January Sunday (Pre- Conference)

10:00 – 12:30

Board Meeting

10:00 – 12:30

Master Class 1, 2 & 3

12:45 – 1:30

Lunch

1:30 – 4:00

Master Class 4 & 5

1:30 – 2:30

Early career forum

2:30-4:00

Welcome to ICSEI: An introduction to the ICSEI Networks and Community- All Welcome!

4:45-6:15

Junior Scholar Fellowship/Network/Board Informal Connection (invitation only)

An Overview of the Conference Program

Please note:

  • Conference registration open daily between 8am and 4pm.
  • Time variations throughout the four days. 
  • The draft overview may be modified.  
  • Lunch is provided.

Monday 19th January – Thursday 22nd January

Time

19 Jan Monday

Time

20 Jan Tuesday

Time

21 Jan Wednesday

Time

22 Jan Thursday

8.00 – 4:00

Registration

8.00 – 4:00

Registration

8.00 – 4:00

Registration

8.00 – 4:00

Registration

9:00 – 10:30

Opening Ceremony

7:30 – 10:30

School Visit

9:00 – 10:30

Keynote 3 (90 mins)

9:00 – 10:30

Parallel Session 7

10:30 – 10:45

Transition

9:30 – 10:30

GRID Session

10:30 – 10:45

Transition

10:30 – 10:45

Transition

10:45 – 12:15

Parallel Session 1 

10:45 – 12:15

Parallel Session 3

10:45 – 12:15

Parallel Session 5

10:45 – 12:15

Parallel Session 8

12:15 – 1:15

Lunch Break

12:15 – 1:15

Lunch Break & Dialogic

12:15 – 1:15

Lunch Break

12:15 – 1:00

Lunch Break

1:15 – 2:45

Parallel Session 2

1:15 – 2:45

Parallel Session 4

1:15 – 2:45

Parallel Session 6

1:00 – 2:15

Keynote 4

2:45 – 3:00

Transition

2:45 – 3:00

Transition

2:45 – 3:00

Transition

2:15- 3:30

Closing Ceremony

3:00 -4:15

Keynote 1

3:00 – 4:15

Keynote 2

3:00 – 4:00

Network Meetings

   

3:00 – 4:00

Posters

4:15 4:30

Transition

4:00 -4:15

Transition

5:00 – 9:00

Congress Dinner

   

4:30 -5:30

Network Meetings

4:30 -5:30

Network Meetings  

       

5:30 – 7:30

Welcome Reception

           

Call for Proposals & Proposal Reviewers

Please note that every congress has a unique ConfTool platform so you have to set up a new user account for each congress.

** Call for Proposals-Now Extended

We are pleased to extend this invitation for proposals for the International Congress for School Effectiveness and Improvement (ICSEI) 2026 congress, which will take place in Doha, Qatar from 18-22 January, 2026. The ICSEI 2026 Theme – Crossing Boundaries in Education: Fostering Innovative, Inclusive and Sustainable Learning Environments.

The proposal submission system will be open from 7 May to 17 June, 2025. All people submitting proposals will be informed as to their acceptance by 16 August, 2025. Proposals are only accepted through the ICSEI Conference Proposal Submission System which can be accessed commencing 7 May: https://www.conftool.com/icsei2026 

All presenting authors and co-authors for accepted proposals will be required to be ICSEI members to present at the Doha 2026 Congress. All proposals for ICSEI 2026 must be submitted in English and when opening a ConfTool account for submission, please provide all details in English including, name, affiliated organisation/university, title, etc. Parallel session speakers may present in English or Arabic, which you select when submitting in ConfTool.. Further details in English or Arabic.

** Request for Proposal Reviewers

We are pleased to invite ICSEI members and colleagues to review proposals for the upcoming ICSEI 2026 congress. Some important information for reviewers:

  • ICSEI congresses typically attract a large number of high-quality proposals from researchers, policymakers and practitioners around the globe
  • Many ICSEI network members regularly volunteer to review proposals
  • ICSEI proposals are blind refereed in relation to specific criteria and guidelines for each proposal type
  • Each submitting author will identify the theme and network to which their proposal is most closely related 
  • Reviewers will be assigned based on their network affiliations and interests

Expression of Interest forms can be found here. 

Content coming soon.

Masterclasses

The ICSEI 2026 masterclasses will be announced closer to the event.

Masterclasses provide intensive, hands-on opportunities to discuss and debate ideas, evidence, practices and strategies. The sessions allow ICSEI 2026 participants not only to learn from leading international experts, but also to bring in their viewpoints, share their experiences and raise questions regarding their own work.

ICSEI Pre-Conference Early Career Forum

Date and times to be determined.

We hope that you will join us for the 2026 ICSEI Early Career Forum which is designed to support all early career ICSEI participants. Join us for a dynamic 3-hour session designed for doctoral students and early career researchers as well as those participants who are in the early phases of their work in policy/government and practice (e.g. schools, NGOs). We aim to: a) provide insights and supports for those in the early phases of their career as well as build important connections and relationships within the ICSEI community.

 

Details coming soon

Details to come

GRID Session

GRID stands for Generational Renewal, Inclusion and Diversity: GRID provides insight, advice, feedback, and perspective to Board activities and decision making through the lens of diversity, equity, inclusion, and generational renewal.

ICSEI 2025 GRID Spotlight Session: Dr Lopez, Dr Awad Ibrahim, and Dr Mauricio Pino-Yancovic.

Network Meetings

Network meetings will be scheduled closer to the event. 

 

Travel Information

Flights to Doha

Qatar Airways connects over 150 destinations worldwide to Doha, and more than 50 international airlines fly to Doha. 

Visa Requirements:

Qatar is one of the world’s most welcoming countries for visitors. Nationalities from 101 countries can enter visa-free, and all others can apply for an e-visa using the Hayya platform online. Check visa eligibility here.

Electricity in Qatar:

In Qatar, the standard plug type is Type G (British style plug with three rectangular pins). The electrical system operates at a frequency of 50 Hz and a supply voltage of 240 V AC. Bring appropriate adapters if needed.  

Transportation:

Various public transportation services are available in Qatar (Uber, taxis, underground trains, and buses).

Karwa Taxi: The flag fall rate for Karwa taxi within Doha starts at QR 4 and QR 1.6 per km while outside Doha is QR 1.90 per km (also applicable to the night-time fare)

Uber Taxi: The fare for UberX starts from QR 8. The final fare will vary depending on the distance, peak hour, and traffic along the way.

Rentals:

Metro: 2QAR per trip and you need to purchase a metro card from a metro station so you can easily commute within Qatar. https://www.qr.com.qa/home

Musheireb Downtown Doha (MDD)

You can take the free Msheireb Tram 

Currency and Payment in Doha:

The currency of Doha is the Qatari Riyal (QAR). All payment methods are accepted in most places in Doha (Cash, Visa and Master Cards, Apple and Google Pay). We recommend having a small amount of Qatari Riyal in cash just in case; exchange offices are available at Doha airport.

Emergency Contact number:

The emergency number in Qatar is 999, accessible 24/7. It connects you to police, fire, and ambulance services. The operators provide instructions based on your situation and offer support in multiple languages.

Accommodation information

The link provides a list of hotels in Qatar from 5 stars to 2 stars and includes details about the distance and the areas.

Hotels: https://www.doha-hotels.net/all-hotels/

Al Wadi Hotel, Doha. 

 

Premier Inn 

 

Souq Waqif Hotel.

 

 

 

 

 

Google Maps

 

Key Dates

  • 30 April – Call for proposals available
  • 7 May – Proposal submission system open
  • 17 June – EXTENDED -Proposal submission system closes
  • 1 August – Registration opens
  • 16 August – Notification of successful proposals
  • 31 October – Early Bird registration closes
  • 21 December – Registration closes
  • 18 January – Pre-conference events *additional fees
  • 19 January – Congress Opening Day 1
  • 19-22 January – Main conference Day 1 – 4

Additional Details

ICSEI/JPCC Innovation Award

The International Congress for School Effectiveness and Improvement (ICSEI) and the Journal of Professional Capital and Community (JPCC) invite applications for the ICSEI / JPCC Innovation Award. This award recognizes an outstanding contribution to the ICSEI 2025 conference that makes an innovative contribution in educational research, policy, and/or practice within the field of professional capital and community. 

JPCC is an international, professionally refereed, scholarly journal, reflecting the most important ideas and evidence of the nature and impact of interactions and relationships in the education profession, especially in the school sector. This journal brings together the most influential leading thinkers and emerging scholars on professional cultures, communities and collegiality and how they all contribute to or impede the development of the professional capital in schools and school systems that enhances students’ learning, wellbeing, achievement, and engagement. 

ICSEI 2025 Winners

The ICSEI Junior Scholar Fellowship Program 2026 

ICSEI is delighted to continue a new fellowship program for junior scholars (Ph. D. students working on their dissertation research and assistant professors/lecturers who are pre-tenure) from low- and medium- income countries to support their participation in the ICSEI annual congress by covering their registration fee and some expenses.  While the Fellowship program is intended chiefly for junior scholars from low- and medium- income countries, scholars from high income countries in need of financial support are encouraged to apply and will be considered if slots are available. Preference will be given to candidates who have not previously received one of these awards.

Junior Scholar Fellowship Winners ICSEI 2025

More details to come.

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