ICSEI is a forum for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners around the world to exchange knowledge. This conference builds on what has been presented in previous conferences by shifting the focus to the purpose of education and the new and emerging possibilities for transforming schools
Dear colleagues, friends, and members of the ICSEI community,
It is with great excitement that we welcome you to Banff, Canada, for the 40th International Congress for School Effectiveness and Improvement (ICSEI 2027), taking place from January 4–8, 2027.
ICSEI 2027 will bring together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers from around the world under the theme Be Well, Learn Well: Strengthening Belonging, Wellbeing, and Academic Growth. This theme reflects a growing recognition that meaningful learning and lasting school improvement are closely connected to the wellbeing and sense of belonging experienced by both students and educators. Across education systems internationally, schools and communities are working to strengthen the social and relational conditions that support learning, while also responding to complex challenges related to equity, mental health, and the evolving nature of teaching and leadership.
The 2027 Congress will provide a space to explore how these dimensions come together in practice. Through research presentations, practitioner dialogues, policy discussions, and collaborative learning opportunities, ICSEI 2027 will highlight work that deepens our understanding of how belonging, wellbeing, and academic growth can be supported together. Participants will engage with diverse perspectives and international experiences, examining how schools and education systems can foster environments where both learners and educators can thrive.
Hosting ICSEI in Banff offers a unique setting for this conversation. Located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies within Banff National Park, the town of Banff is known for its extraordinary natural beauty, vibrant community, and longstanding tradition as a place for dialogue, reflection, and learning. Surrounded by mountains, forests, and open landscapes, Banff invites visitors to slow down, reconnect with one another, and engage deeply with new ideas.
The congress program will combine ICSEI’s longstanding traditions of rigorous scholarship and meaningful exchange with opportunities for connection and reflection inspired by the setting. Alongside research sessions and network activities, participants will have opportunities to engage in dialogue sessions, collaborative discussions, and social events that celebrate the global ICSEI community while highlighting the distinctive culture and landscape of Canada.
We look forward to welcoming you to Banff for ICSEI 2027 as we come together to learn from one another, strengthen our shared commitments, and explore how belonging, wellbeing, and academic growth can shape the future of education worldwide.
Warm regards,
Dr. Sharon Friesen & Dr. Stephen MacGregor
Co-Chairs, ICSEI 2027, Banff, Canada
Please note: The congress is a fully face-to-face event; online participation is not available.
Congress sub-themes include:
The congress is a fully face-to-face event; online participation is not available.
Please note that all registrations and payment options will close on 18 December (AEST).
How to REGISTER and PAY for ICSEI 2027 Congress in Banff
ICSEI members enjoy discounted registration rates, making it more affordable to participate in this global event. By becoming a member, you not only save on registration but also gain access to a vibrant international network of educators, researchers, and policy makers. You must become an ICSEI member before registering for the Congress to receive the discounted rate. Membership details can be found here. Please ensure you use the same email address when registering for both ICSEI membership and the ICSEI Congress, as this helps us link your records accurately across platforms. *By registering through ConfTool, you acknowledge and accept the cancellation and refund policy. We kindly ask that you read this policy carefully before completing your registration.
ICSEI does not issue invoices to schools, organizations, or universities. All registrations must be completed individually via ConfTool and paid using a credit card or PayPal.
Fees in Australian Dollars for the Main Congress 4-8 January and additional activities
| Membership | Early Bird Rates1 | Standard Rates2 | Congress Registration- additional activities | Fees |
| ICSEI Member | $795.00 | $895.00 | Master Classes | $75.00 |
| Non-Member | $950.00 | $1,050.00 | Early Career Forum | $40.00 |
| Low/lower-middle income country 3 | $350.00 | $450.00 | School Visits | $45.00 |
| Student | $250.00 | $350.00 | Conference Dinner & Entertainment | $150.00 |
1 Early Bird Rates good through 31 October 2026 AEST
2 Standard Rates apply 1 November 2026 – 18 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.
Additional details: ICSEI Congress Registration and Refunds Policy and Terms and Conditions.
ICSEI 2027 will take place at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in Banff, Alberta, Canada, from January 4–8, 2027.
Guided by the congress theme, Be Well, Learn Well: Strengthening Belonging, Wellbeing, and Academic Growth, the program will bring together researchers, educators, school and system leaders, policymakers, and community partners from around the world. Across the week, participants will engage in keynote presentations, paper sessions, symposia, roundtables, posters, network meetings, masterclasses, dialogue sessions, and opportunities for informal connection. The program is designed to support meaningful exchange while also making space for reflection, relationship-building, and the unique setting of Banff National Park.
Monday, January 4th
The pre-conference day is designed to help participants connect with the ICSEI community and prepare for the days ahead. A series of masterclasses led by internationally recognized scholars, practitioners, and system leaders will provide extended, interactive learning opportunities connected to the congress theme. Unlike conventional conference presentations, these sessions are designed to allow participants to engage deeply with a focused area of research, policy, or practice, discuss implications for their own contexts, and leave with practical insights that can inform their work.
The day will also include opportunities for participants to connect with the broader ICSEI community through activities such as the Early Career Forum, a Welcome to ICSEI session introducing participants to the organization’s networks and traditions, and informal networking opportunities bringing together junior scholars, network members, board representatives, and long-time ICSEI participants.
Whether attending ICSEI for the first time or returning as a long-standing member, the pre-conference day offers an opportunity to build connections and begin the congress experience in a collaborative and welcoming environment.
| Time | Session |
| 9:30 – 12:00 | Board Meeting |
| 9:30 – 12:00 | Master Class 1, 2 & 3 |
| 12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch
On your own; lunch will not be provided. There are a variety of nearby options to choose from. |
| 13:00 – 15:30 | Master Class 4, 5, & 6 |
| 13:00 – 15:30 | Early career forum |
| 15:45 – 17:00 | Welcome to ICSEI: An introduction to the ICSEI Networks and Community- All Welcome! |
| 17:15 – 19:00 | Junior Scholar Fellowship/Network/Board Informal Connection (invitation only) |
Tuesday, January 5th
| Time | Session |
| 8:00–9:00 | Optional Wellness Activity |
| 9:00–10:30 | Opening Ceremony |
| 10:30–11:00 | Tea / Transition Food will be provided. |
| 11:00–12:15 | Parallel Session Block 1 |
| 12:15–13:15 | Lunch, Network Meetings, Posters, Exhibition Hall Lunch will not be provided. There are a variety of nearby options to choose from. |
| 13:15–14:15 | Keynote 1 |
| 14:15–14:45 | Tea / Transition Food will be provided. |
| 14:45–16:15 | Parallel Session Block 2 |
| 16:15–16:25 | Transition |
| 16:25–17:55 | Parallel Session Block 3 |
| 17:55–19:00 | Welcome Reception |
Wednesday, January 6th
| Time | Session |
| 7:00–7:50 | Optional Wellness Activity |
| 7:50–8:00 | Transition |
| 8:00–8:50 | Dialogue Session |
| 8:50–9:00 | Transition |
| 9:00–10:30 | Parallel Session Block 4 |
| 10:30–11:00 | Tea / Transition Food will be provided. |
| 11:00–12:15 | Parallel Session Block 5 |
| 12:15–13:15 | Lunch, Network Meetings, Posters, Exhibition Hall Lunch will not be provided. There are a variety of nearby options to choose from. |
| 13:15–14:15 | Keynote 2 |
| 14:15–14:45 | Tea / Transition Food will be provided. |
| 14:45–16:15 | Parallel Session Block 6 |
| 16:15–16:25 | Transition |
| 16:25–17:40 | Parallel Session Block 7 |
Thursday, January 7th
| Time | Session | |
| 7:00–7:50 | Optional Wellness Activity | |
| 7:50–8:00 | Transition | |
| 8:00–8:50 | Dialogue Session | |
| 8:50–9:00 | Transition | School Visits |
| 9:00–10:30 | Parallel Session Block 8 | |
| 10:30–11:00 | Tea / Transition Food will be provided. |
|
| 11:00–12:15 | Posters + Exhibition Hall | |
| 12:15–13:15 | Lunch, Network Meetings, Posters, Exhibition Hall Lunch will not be provided. There are a variety of nearby options to choose from. |
|
| 13:15–14:15 | Keynote 3 | |
| 14:15–14:45 | Tea / Transition Food will be provided. |
|
| 14:45–15:45 | GRID Spotlight | |
| 15:45–15:55 | Transition | |
| 15:55–17:25 | Parallel Session Block 9 | |
| 17:25–18:30 | Transition + Travel to Congress Dinner Venue | |
| 18:30–22:00 | Congress Reception and Dinner | |
Friday, January 8th
| Time | Session |
| 7:00–7:50 | Optional Wellness Activity |
| 7:50–8:00 | Transition |
| 8:00–8:50 | Dialogue Session |
| 8:50–9:00 | Transition |
| 9:00–10:30 | Parallel Session Block 10 |
| 10:30–11:00 | Tea / Transition Food will be provided. |
| 11:00–12:15 | Parallel Session Block 11 |
| 12:15–13:15 | Lunch, ICSEI Dialogic Session Lunch will not be provided. There are a variety of nearby options to choose from. |
| 13:15–14:15 | Keynote 4 |
| 14:15–14:25 | Transition |
| 14:25–15:10 | Closing Ceremony |
We are delighted to welcome presenters to the 2027 International Congress for School Effectiveness and Improvement in Banff, Canada.
ICSEI brings together researchers, policymakers, system leaders, school leaders, practitioners, graduate students, and community partners from around the world. Presenting at ICSEI is an opportunity to share research, policy, practice, innovation, and inquiry with an international community committed to strengthening school effectiveness and improvement.
ICSEI sessions are designed to support meaningful exchange across research, policy, and practice. Presenters are encouraged to prepare sessions that are clear, engaging, and accessible to an international audience. As you prepare your presentation, please keep the following in mind:
The ICSEI 2027 program will include a range of presentation formats intended to support different kinds of knowledge sharing and professional learning. These may include individual papers, symposia, roundtable discussions, innovate sessions, and posters.
Each format offers a different way to share ideas, engage participants, and contribute to the ICSEI community. More detailed guidance for presenters will be provided closer to the Congress, including information about session timing, room assignments, audiovisual arrangements, and presenter check-in.
Join internationally recognized scholars, practitioners, and system leaders for immersive pre-conference learning experiences designed to deepen dialogue, strengthen practice, and explore pressing issues in educational improvement.
Date: Monday, January 4, 2027
Location: Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, Banff, Alberta, Canada
Cindy Poortman and Kim Schildkamp – Linked Details
Andy Hargreaves – Linked Details
Sabre Cherkowski – Linked Details
Dave Runge, Glenn Savage, and Louie Montoya – Linked Details
Alan Daly and Anita Caduff – Linked Details
Stephen Murgatroyd, Jean Stiles, Pasi Sahlberg, and Dennis Shirley – Linked Details
Monday, January 4th, 13:00 – 15:30
We hope you will join us for the ICSEI 2027 Early Career Forum, a pre-congress session designed to support early-career ICSEI participants and help them build meaningful connections within the international ICSEI community.
The Early Career Forum is designed for doctoral students, early-career researchers, and participants in the early phases of their work in policy, government, practice, schools, system leadership, community organizations, and NGOs. The session offers a welcoming space to learn from established ICSEI members, connect with peers from around the world, and explore how early-career scholars and professionals can contribute to the ICSEI community.
The session will provide opportunities to:
The Early Career Forum is organized in collaboration with the ICSEI Board and Network leadership. Additional details, including contributors, will be announced closer to the Congress.
Thursday, January 7, 2027
Join us for the ICSEI 2027 Congress Dinner at Banff Park Ranch, a distinctive mountain venue located just minutes from downtown Banff.
Set against sweeping views of the Canadian Rockies, Banff Park Ranch offers delegates a memorable opportunity to gather, connect, and experience the warmth of Banff’s mountain hospitality. With its historic charm, forested surroundings, and 360-degree mountain views, the Ranch provides a fitting setting for an evening of conversation, culture, and celebration.
The Congress Dinner will offer delegates a chance to step away from the formal conference program and enjoy a relaxed evening with colleagues from around the world. Guests will be welcomed into a setting that reflects the character of Banff: warm, scenic, informal, and deeply connected to place.
The dinner will feature a premium Western-style buffet, highlighting Alberta hospitality and locally inspired flavours. The menu is expected to include house-smoked Alberta beef and chef-inspired sides, with beverage options available during the evening. Further details about the menu and dietary accommodations will be provided closer to the Congress.
Banff Park Ranch is located approximately 10 minutes from downtown Banff. Transportation arrangements for delegates will be confirmed closer to the event date.
School visits are a long-standing and valued tradition at ICSEI. Each year, they offer Congress participants the opportunity to learn more about education in the local host context.
For ICSEI 2027, school visits will provide attendees with the opportunity to visit schools in Alberta’s Bow Valley, including Banff and Canmore. These mountain communities are located in one of Canada’s most distinctive natural settings, where public education is shaped by place, community, outdoor learning, cultural diversity, and connection to the surrounding Rocky Mountain landscape.
The school visits are being organized in partnership with Canadian Rockies Public Schools, a public school division serving students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 across the Bow Valley Corridor. The division includes schools in Banff, Canmore, Exshaw, and the surrounding area, and welcomes students from local communities, the Stoney Nakoda First Nations, and families from around the world.
Through these visits, ICSEI participants will have a chance to learn more about schooling in Alberta, see local educational environments firsthand, and consider how questions of belonging, wellbeing, learning, leadership, and improvement are taken up in everyday school contexts.
We are grateful to Canadian Rockies Public Schools and participating school communities for making these visits possible. School visit options are expected to include opportunities across a range of settings, including:
Participants will be able to indicate their school visit preference when registering for the Congress. We will do our best to honour participant preferences while also taking into account the available space at each school location. Further details about timing, transportation, school visit options, and capacity will be shared closer to the Congress.
Delegates interested in connecting with colleagues at the University of Calgary or learning more about educational research, teaching, and partnership initiatives at the Werklund School of Education are welcome to explore opportunities for a university visit during their time in Alberta.
University visits and delegation requests are coordinated through the Werklund School of Education’s Office of Internationalization. Interested groups are encouraged to contact Dr. Roswita Dressler, Associate Dean – International, or Ms. Benazir Rahman, International Facilitator, to discuss potential visits, meetings, and collaborative opportunities: [email protected].
Please note that arrangements are subject to availability and should be discussed well in advance of the Congress whenever possible.
Coming Soon!
Air Canada is offering special meeting and convention fares for delegates travelling to ICSEI 2027.
Promotion code: JM9EEVR1
To access the discounted fares, book your flight through the Air Canada website and enter the promotion code in the Promotion Code box when making your reservation.
The discount applies to eligible travel to Calgary International Airport (YYC) between December 28, 2026 and January 15, 2027.
Discounts vary by fare type:
Please note that the promotion code must be entered at the time of booking for the discount to apply. Air Canada fare rules, taxes, surcharges, and other applicable terms and conditions continue to apply.
Banff is approximately 130 km (80 miles) west of Calgary from Calgary International Airport (YYC)
By Car
Click here for Daily Park Admission Prices
By Shuttle (Recommended)
See shuttle details below for a convenient, car-free option.
For details on how to get to the Banff Centre by car please see: https://www.banffcentre.ca/sites/default/files/Maps%20Signage%20and%20logos/GettingtoBanffCentre_2022-03.pdf. This map also contains information about how to get around on the Banff Centre campus.
The Banff Centre is located just above the town of Banff.
Address
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
107 Tunnel Mountain Drive
Banff, Alberta T1L 1H5
Directions from Banff Town
Parking is available on-site.
Shuttle service is available from Calgary International Airport to the Banff Centre. The Banff Airporter is the official airport shuttle provider of Banff Centre, and it runs to and from Calgary International Airport approximately 11 times a day. You will be dropped off at the Professional Development Centre (PDC), where the Front Desk of the Banff Centre is located.
Tip: Check the Airporter schedule before booking your flights as they DO NOT RUN 24/7 and a taxi can cost more than $200 each way.
Booking Your Shuttle
Travel Time
We know that many of you wonder about what to expect in terms of the weather. It will be Winter during the conference.
Winter (December to February):
Banff is also subject to Chinook winds and conditions. Warm, humid air flowing over the mountains from the west can raise winter temperatures substantially in a short time and reduce snow accumulations dramatically in a few days. For more detailed information, please visit the Parks Canada website.
Consider packing
Electronics
For the most up-to-date information on what you need to enter Canada, please visit the Government of Canada site: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/entry-requirements-country.html
Your accommodation has been secured at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity.
Although there is alternate accommodation in the Banff townsite, participants are encouraged to stay on-site for convenience and to fully experience the conference environment.
Why Stay On-Site?
Banff Centre provides public wireless internet access in every building. No password is required. Access is open and unsecured, so it is each person’s responsibility to ensure they have all operating system patches applied and adequate virus protection installed.
Please note that all registrations and payment options will close on 18 December (AEST).
How to REGISTER and PAY for ICSEI 2027 Congress in Banff:
Coming Soon!
Coming Soon!
Interested receiving the discounted rate and joining the ICSEI community?
