TMU Learning and Teaching Conference

The conference theme this year is Opening Doors, Closing Gaps Through Learning and Teaching. 

All submissions are required to identify a sub-theme that best describes their presentation. These include:

• Addressing gaps between pedagogy and technological innovation
• Bridging classroom and community
• Opening the classroom to all
• Engaging students in learning and teaching
• Teaching across resource gaps

Presenters are welcome to explore the following prompts to help develop abstracts as part of the application process. This is not a required element of the application.

• Integrating the development of personal and civic engagement into an academic context
• Using the classroom as a site of community development

• Sharing stories of learning & teaching successes and challenges
• Advancing academic quality through assessment, course and curriculum design
• Collaborating with undergraduate and graduate students in pedagogical research and innovation

• Moving beyond the land acknowledgement
• Land-based pedagogies
• Designing accessible learning and teaching spaces

• Maintaining academic rigour and integrity in light of developing technologies (Generative AI, etc.)
• Using digital tools for student engagement
• Blending digital and in-person learning spaces

This year, we are accepting abstracts for a range of presentation types and forms of faculty engagement. Each abstract should follow the abstract guidelines as indicated on the submission form. Please also indicate your preferred presentation format (see below).

Paper presentations (15 minutes)

These sessions allow presenters to share key aspects of their work and teaching while having audience interests provoke further discussion. These presentations should discuss particular projects, methods, or case studies relevant to learning and teaching. Paper presentations will be grouped together in a session by the conference organizers. Each session will have a moderator and each presentation will have a limited amount of time (15 minutes per paper presentation), with additional time for audience questions. Each paper should be presented by 1-2 people (if you have a larger group, please propose a roundtable instead).

Project spotlight (25 minutes)

These sessions showcase single initiatives and projects relevant to one of the conference prompts. The purpose of project spotlight is to offer presenters more time to share and to allow for greater audience engagement, dialogue and collaboration.

Interactive Workshops (45 minutes)

This option is ideal for those who have significant experience leading similar workshops or experiential activities within short timeslots. At the LTC, workshops are highly interactive and experiential. Past workshops have involved participants engaging in tanning and dyeing techniques, experiments with Generative Artificial Intelligence and digital storytelling to learn new techniques and develop skills. CELT will work with presenters to secure alternate appropriate spaces if necessary (e.g. food lab, black box theatre space). Please clearly state and describe the specific activity/activities that attendees will engage in, in your proposal. Please ensure your workshop carefully adheres to the allotted timeframe (including all required set-up and/or take-down), as sessions will be back-to-back. If your proposed session is presentation-heavy (rather than interactive), involves PowerPoint or Slides, and/or space flexibility is not possible for your session, we ask that you please propose/select a different presentation format (such as a paper presentation or roundtable). All accepted workshop presenters are required to meet with the conference organizing team in advance of the conference to support planning and ensure appropriate room allocation.

Roundtable sessions (60 minutes)

Roundtable Sessions are where multiple papers are presented at a single “table”. Tables are organized around a common theme or subject and accepted papers are grouped accordingly. In 2026, CELT will be hosting up to two focused topics: GenAI in teaching, and Graduate Student Forum. Further suggestions are welcome from groups of faculty and staff regarding additional round table topics. 

The adjudication committee will accept submissions for virtual roundtables where presenters and audiences are entirely online.

Community connected activities (up to 2 hours)

Proposals are encouraged for conference activities that engage with the larger TMU community and beyond. This includes learning and teaching activities that enrich engagement beyond the classroom, physically or virtually. Examples of activities could include campus art tours, lab visits, or urban land-based learning projects. Proposals should describe the objectives of the activity and what participants can expect to experience. Please provide details about any requirements associated with the activity such as leaving the conference area, travelling across campus or significant time outdoors. These activities should be led by a team with multiple members. Please consider reaching out to CELT or the Office of Social Innovation for partnership if desired.

Posters and book session (at the Chang School Reception)

Poster presentations visually communicate and share practices, research findings or early-stage research projects relevant to the conference theme. Presenters are encouraged to choose digital media or a physical poster.

TMU members who have published a book, monograph, open educational resource or other form of mixed media are invited to submit a proposal to display their work at a table at the Poster and Book Session. Books and monographs may be sold at the conference.

Please note that the programming committee may accept a submission with the stipulation that it move to a different format (for example, from a paper presentation to a poster session). In such cases, submitters will be offered the opportunity to either accept or reject this option.