Call for ProposalsReconnect, Recharge, Renew: Reimagining the Professoriate in a Rapidly Evolving World NCPEA | ICPEL invites educational leadership scholars, faculty, practitioners, graduate students, and emerging leaders to submit proposals for the 2027 Annual Conference. This year's conference provides opportunities to share research, advance scholarly and professional conversations, explore emerging challenges, and engage colleagues in meaningful professional learning. We welcome proposals representing diverse methodological approaches, scholarly perspectives, professional experiences, and stages of research and practice. Proposal TypesAll submissions must identify one of three proposal types. This selection describes the nature of the proposed work, not how it will be presented. ResearchResearch proposals present empirical investigations, including completed or sufficiently developed studies. Submissions should articulate a clear problem or purpose, establish a scholarly foundation, describe research questions and methodology, and present findings where available. Proposals should also explain the implications of the work for educational leadership, preparation, policy, research, or practice. ConceptualConceptual proposals present scholarly or practice-focused work grounded in relevant literature, theory, policy, or professional knowledge. These submissions should advance a substantive argument, framework, model, or perspective that contributes to understanding or improving educational leadership. Conceptual proposals are not required to present original empirical data but must demonstrate appropriate scholarly or professional grounding. WorkshopWorkshop proposals describe interactive learning experiences designed to develop participants' knowledge, skills, strategies, or professional resources. Proposals should identify a clear professional need, establish the scholarly or practice-based foundation, describe learning objectives and planned activities, and explain how participants will engage and what they can expect to take away. Workshops are 45-minute interactive sessions with limited availability. Proposals must describe activities appropriate for this duration and demonstrate meaningful participant engagement. Presentation FormatsIn addition to selecting a proposal type, submitters must identify their preferred presentation format. The proposal type identifies the nature of the contribution, while the presentation format identifies how participants will engage with the work during the conference. Concurrent SessionA scheduled session featuring research presentations, conceptual scholarship, or interactive workshops. Research and conceptual presentations are typically 20 minutes in length and are grouped with other presentations addressing related topics within a shared session. Workshops are scheduled as 45-minute sessions and emphasize interactive, application-oriented professional learning. Workshop slots are limited and will be selected based on proposal quality and program availability. PosterThe Poster format provides opportunities to share research, scholarly work, or professional practice through either a traditional poster presentation or an asynchronous prerecorded presentation. Traditional Poster: Presenters share their work through a visual display during a scheduled poster session, allowing for informal discussion, feedback, networking, and direct interaction with conference participants. Asynchronous Prerecorded Presentation: Presenters prepare a recorded presentation that conference participants can access and view independently, without attending a scheduled live session. This option provides flexibility for sharing scholarship, including contributions from international participants and others who may be unable to present in person. Both options support the dissemination of scholarly and professional work while offering different opportunities for engagement. Community ConversationBuilding on the traditional roundtable format, Community Conversations are facilitated small-group discussions centered on a compelling question, emerging idea, professional challenge, or problem of practice. These sessions emphasize dialogue and collective exploration rather than formal presentations. Multiple presenters addressing related topics may be assigned to the same session, with each contributing perspectives and helping facilitate meaningful discussion among participants. Important: The conference committee may offer acceptance in a presentation format other than the one requested, based on the proposal's fit and conference program needs. Conference StrandsSubmitters must select the one conference strand that best aligns with their proposal:
The strands are intentionally broad and welcome research, conceptual, and practice-focused contributions. Graduate student scholarship, dissertation-related research, works in progress, and practitioner inquiry are encouraged across all strands. The conference integrates mentoring, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion throughout rather than treating them as separate submission tracks. Explore the 2027 Conference Theme & StrandsProposal Preparation and Submission RequirementsAll proposals must include an anonymized proposal narrative uploaded as a Word document or PDF. The narrative must meet the following requirements:
Proposals that do not meet the word-count, citation/reference, or anonymous-review requirements may be returned without review. What Should the Narrative Include?Research proposals should address the problem or purpose, relevant literature or theoretical framework, research questions, methodology, findings or results where available, and implications for educational leadership. Conceptual proposals should explain the problem or purpose, relevant scholarly or professional foundations, central argument or proposed framework, and implications for educational leadership. Workshop proposals should describe the professional need, scholarly or professional foundation, workshop objectives, proposed activities, participant engagement, and anticipated outcomes or takeaways. Additional Information RequiredBefore beginning the submission form, please prepare the following information:
The submitting author will serve as the primary contact for all correspondence regarding the proposal. Peer Review CommitmentThe quality of the NCPEA | ICPEL Annual Conference depends on the active participation of our scholarly and professional community. By submitting a proposal, the submitting author agrees to review at least one conference proposal during the designated review period and complete the assigned review by the established deadline. The submission form will ask authors whether they are willing to review additional proposals if needed. This shared commitment helps sustain a rigorous and collaborative peer-review process. Presenter ResponsibilitiesSubmission of a proposal does not guarantee acceptance. If accepted, presenters must comply with published conference registration requirements and deadlines. Presenters are responsible for applicable registration fees, travel, lodging, and related expenses. All listed authors and presenters must have agreed to their inclusion in the proposal. Accepted proposal titles, program descriptions, presenter names, institutional affiliations, and related session information may be published in conference materials. NCPEA | ICPEL may make minor editorial adjustments for consistency and publication. Ready to Submit?Before submitting, please ensure that your proposal narrative meets all requirements, that identifying information has been removed, and that you have prepared the required author and program information. We look forward to receiving proposals that advance scholarship, strengthen professional communities, and contribute to the future of educational leadership. [Conference Proposal Submission Form Coming Soon] Proposal Submission Deadline: [TBA] |
