Call for Presentations: Reflecting on the Past, Shaping the Future

We invite adult educators to submit their presentation proposals around the theme of   Reflecting on the Past, Shaping the Future with relevance to adult literacy, numeracy and digital literacy. Presentations should focus on stimulating thought and discussion around relevant issues and practices within various contexts.

We aim to:

• Learn from where we’ve come been: Reflect on past approaches, policies, and practices in adult literacy and numeracy, examining what has worked, what hasn’t, and why.
• Reimagine practice for changing learners and contexts: Explore how adult literacy and numeracy teaching can evolve in response to social, cultural, digital, and workforce changes.
• Innovate with purpose: Highlight emerging, flexible, and research-informed approaches that build on past knowledge while responding to current and future learner needs.
• Embed adult learning principles across time: Exemplify adult learning principles by connecting lived experience, prior knowledge, and reflective practice with forward-focused teaching strategies.

Presentation modes

VALBEC welcomes submissions from adult LLND teachers, policy makers, managers, researcher and other interested individuals and organisations.

1. Practical workshops (45 minutes)

These workshops are hands-on sessions that support participants’ professional learning. They focus on practical skills and knowledge that build capability and help practitioners work in different settings. Workshops explore teaching and learning challenges, introduce new curriculum or approaches, or showcase innovative programs. Workshops can be delivered by a team; anyone with a substantive role in the workshop should be listed as a presenter.

2. Panel presentations (45 minutes)

Panels will be chosen for topics that encourage discussion and may shape future work. The panel Chair must submit the panel title; the names and affiliations of the Chair and all panel members; and a 200-word abstract. The Chair is expected to attend for the full session to introduce the topic, keep to time, and lead discussion after the panel.

3. Individual papers and presentations (45 minutes, including time for discussion)

Lecture style presentations on a topic relevant to the conference themes. Please list all contributing authors in the presentation details. Selected papers may be offered the opportunity to publish in FinePrint.

Critical dates

• Proposals to be submitted by COB April 17, 2026.
• Presenters will be notified by April 24, 2026, of their inclusion in the conference program.

Further information

Debbie Soccio, Conference Administration Organiser

Email: valbecprojectmanager@gmail.com

Phone: 0409 941 007

Proposals are now open and close April 17, 2026. 

Submit Your Proposal Online Here