The International Association for Intercultural Education (IAIE) and the Hellenic Open University, with the support of SIRIUS, invite proposals for the IAIE 2026 International Conference on Migration, the Global Quest for Educational Equity, and Intercultural Education. The event will take place in Athens, Greece, on 19–21 June 2026.
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Why this matters
Migration and educational equity remain defining challenges for education systems worldwide. This conference brings together researchers, practitioners and policy actors to share evidence, debate approaches, and explore workable solutions across contexts.
Themes and strands
Submissions are invited on (but not limited to) the following strands:
- Strand 1: Intercultural and multicultural education in times of migration
- Strand 2: Inclusion and diversity – the dynamics of intersectionality
- Strand 3: Migrants, refugees and asylum seekers
Strand 1: Intercultural and multicultural education in times of migration
This strand focuses on modern perspectives and conceptualizations, as well as practical applications and policy-related reflections, relating to intercultural and multicultural education and explores possibilities to both broaden and deepen our understandings of identity and diversity issues. Researchers and practitioners will present studies that situate intercultural and multicultural education policies and practices within multiple layers of global-local contexts that elaborate and constrain discursive practices regarding multicultural and intercultural education. By constructively challenging and providing new insights into evolving strategies, approaches and methodologies for multicultural and intercultural education, this strand hopes to contribute to international collaborative efforts to open up new possibilities for intercultural/multicultural education in times of complexity and migration.
Strand 2: Inclusion and diversity – the dynamics of intersectionality
Inclusion has become a priority in education in many societies, aiming to give space to individuals who belong to various communities and have multiple identities that impact their educational opportunities and challenges. This strand will cover diversities based on race, ethnicity, origin, sexual orientation, religion, special educational needs. Key dimensions focusing on intersectionality and cultural diversity in educational inclusion cover the following topics:
- Multiple Identities: How refugee and migrant students experience overlapping challenges – potential trauma, resilience and overcoming barriers to access.
- Intersectional Pedagogical Responses: Developing teaching approaches that recognize the full complexity of migrant students’ identities, moving beyond basic language support to addressing how cultural values, previous educational experiences, and family expectations interact with classroom dynamics and academic expectations.
- Community and Belonging: Addressing how community relationships, teacher attitudes, and institutional practices can either support or undermine the integration of students with intersecting cultural and social identities.
- Systemic Support Networks: Building holistic support systems that recognize how migration status intersects with age, gender, family structure, and individual needs to create personalized pathways for educational inclusion and success.
Papers dealing with educational practice, research and policy analyses are especially welcome.
Strand 3: Migrants, refugees and asylum seekers
This strand focuses on the following current topics relating to migrants and refugees in reception countries.
- Legal and Policy Frameworks such as international law, asylum procedures, and governance mechanisms struggling to address fluid migration patterns and prolonged displacement processes.
- Socioeconomic exclusion and participation, access to the labor market, mobile populations across transit and destination contexts.
- Identity, belonging issues and transnational networks: How constant mobility shapes cultural identity, community formation, diaspora connections, and sense of place among displaced populations.
- Health, protection, and vulnerability: Access to healthcare, education, and social services for populations in continuous movement, particularly focusing on women, children, and vulnerable, marginalized groups.
Programme at a glance
| Day | Academic and Social Events |
|---|---|
| 19 June | Opening keynote by Emeritus Professor James A. Banks (Kerry & Linda Killinger Endowed Chair in Diversity Studies, University of Washington, USA) Two interactive symposia on Migration & Refugee Policies and on Global & Intercultural Competencies. |
| 20 June | Parallel paper presentations. |
| 21 June | Optional educational visit/retreat (TBD; special rate), e.g., a winery near Athens or a one-day island trip. |
Registration fees
Early Bird registration
(until 20th March 2026)
| Option | IAIE, KAME, NAME & SIRIUS Members | Non-Members | Greek Participants & Students | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 only | €75 | €100 | €35 | Venue: Divani Caravel Hotel |
| Day 2 only | €200 | €250 | €35 | — |
| Days 1 & 2 package | €250 | €300 | €60 | — |
| Day 3 (Wine tasting / island trip) | TBD | TBD | TBD | Separate event; details to follow |
Standard registration
(21st March 2026 & onward)
| Option | IAIE, KAME, NAME & SIRIUS Members | Non-Members | Greek Participants & Students | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 only | €95 | €120 | €45 | Venue: Divani Caravel Hotel |
| Day 2 only | €225 | €275 | €45 | — |
| Days 1 & 2 package | €275 | €340 | €75 | — |
| Day 3 (Wine tasting / island trip) | TBD | TBD | TBD | Separate event; details to follow |
Abstract submission
Abstracts
Abstracts should be submitted online only via the ConfTool platform. Submissions should include:
- an abstract spanning approximately 300–400 words (single-spaced),
- 4–5 keywords, and
- a list of indicative references.
Languages
The official language of the conference is English.
- The organisers plan to include up to eight bilingual (English/Greek) papers, presented in English with interpretation support.
- A further eight papers may be submitted and presented in Greek.
- Additionally, poster presentations are welcome in all languages.
Important dates
The submission portal will be open from 13 October 2025 to 11 January 15 March 2026.
Authors will receive notifications of acceptance for submissions from 1 February 2026 onwards.
Best paper awards
Four Best Paper Awards will be presented in memory of Jagdish Singh Gundara (IAIE President, Emeritus Professor, University of London) and Michele Malamud Kahn (IAIE Vice President, Professor at University of Houston–Clear Lake). Awards will recognise excellence, innovation and significance, as selected by a dedicated committee.
Additional information
- For updates and alerts, please visit the conference website.
- For submissions and registration, please use ConfTool.
- For queries you can contact: iaie2026@conftool.org
About me
Achilleas Kostoulas is an applied linguist and language teacher educator at the Department of Primary Education, University of Thessaly, Greece. He holds a PhD and an MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from the University of Manchester, UK and a BA in English Studies from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece.
His research explores a wide range of issues connected with language (teacher) education, including language contact and plurilingualism, linguistic identities and ideologies, language policy and didactics, often using a Complex Dynamic Systems Theory to tease out connections between them. Some of his publications in the field include the research monograph The Intentional Dynamics of TESOL (2021, De Gruyter; with Juup Stelma) and the edited volume Doctoral Study and Getting Published (2025, Emerald; with Richard Fay), as well as numerous other publications.
Achilleas currently contributes to several projects that bring together his long-standing interests in language education, teacher development, and the social dimensions of language learning. As the coordinator of the expert team of AI Lang (Artificial Intelligence in Language Education), an initiative of the European Centre for Modern Languages of the Council of Europe, he works on developing principles and resources to help educators make informed, pedagogically grounded use of AI in their teaching. He also leads the University of Thessaly team of ReaLiTea (Research Literacy of Teachers), a project that supports language teachers in developing the capacity to engage with, and contribute to, educational research. Alongside these, he contributes to LocalLing, a Horizon-funded initiative to preserve and strengthen heritage and minority languages globally.
In addition to the above, Achilleas is the (co)editor-in-chief of the newly established European Journal of Education and Language Review, and welcomes contributions that explore the dynamic intersections between language, education, and society.
About this post
- This post was written on 3rd October 2025, as part of the dissemination and outreach plan of the IAIE academic conference. A revision on 21st January 2026 updated the submission deadline. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy at the time of posting, I assume no responsibility for any subsequent changes or errors. For the most up-to-date details, please refer to the conference website.
- The featured image, by Kasto, is used with license from Adobe Stock.
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