Call for papers

The theme of the WIL26 conference​ is “Embracing Diversity in Work-Integrated Learning Practices”​. The theme gives the opportunity to explore how diverse perspectives and practices fuel creativity and drive forward-thinking WIL practices. It aims to break down silos and build bridges across disciplines and industries. Learn about cutting-edge knowledge that connects global WIL practices and  transcends geographical and cultural boundaries to foster a more interconnected co-creative learning ecosystem.

Through this conference theme, we  embrace the power of diversity as a catalyst for innovation and explore how inclusive WIL initiatives can equip students and professionals with the skills necessary to thrive in a multicultural and rapidly evolving working life.​

Paper topics

Relevant topics of the theme include, but are not limited to:

• Diverse models and forms of knowledge in WIL
• Inclusivity and equity in WIL
• Challenges and barriers in WIL
• WIL contexts matter
• Work-life practices of WIL
• Innovative WIL models beyond traditional placements
• WIL theory and frameworks
• Work-Integrated Education (WIE) as an educational approach
• Policies in WIL implementation
• Students' perspectives and experiences with WIL

• Professionals and industry engagement in WIL

• WIL in the context of future work trends

• Work-integrated lifelong learning

• Skills development in WIL

• Emerging technologies in and for WIL

• Generative Artificial intelligence for WIL

• Ethical issues and academic independence in WIL

• Professional learning and organizational learning 

• Transforming industrial work through WIL

• WIL models for sustainable development

• Co-creating WIL approaches

Submissions and publications

The WIL26 allows submission of short papers of max 2000 words. Submitted papers will be blind peer reviewed by the Conference Scientific Committee. The papers can be accepted for oral presentation (15 minutes, plus 5 minutes questions) or for poster presentation (physical poster presentation in a mingle session). All accepted papers will be published in the conference proceedings with an ISSN.

We want to reach out the invitation to PhD students to submit their work and indicate it as a PhD Student Paper in the submission system. PhD students are encouraged to submit original, unpublished work with the student listed as first author and presenting author for consideration for the Best PhD Student Paper Award. Papers will undergo the same peer review as regular submissions. The winner will be selected by the scientific committee and recognized at the conference dinner session. Submission guidelines, formatting, and eligibility deadlines follow the main CFP and the PhD student papers’ presentations are embedded and integrated in the ordinary parallel sessions.

After the conference, the authors of accepted papers will be invited to submit their full paper in the CIWIL Journal (Current Issues in Work-Integrated Learning) for a Special Issue of the theme “Embracing Diversity in Work-Integrated Learning Practices”.

Author guidelines

• Authors are invited to submit papers using the EasyChair platform. Please use the following submission link >>
• All papers must adhere to the word template and must be between 1500-2000 words. Please note that the word limit is at maximum 2000 words, excluding references.
• Please read the author instructions that can be downloaded here >>.
• The Word template can be downloaded here >>.
• The first submission must not contain any author information, to support blind peer review.
• At least one author/presenter must be registered for the conference by the 15th of August 2026. 
• All presentations must be in person at the conference (not online).
• Submissions must be original and should not have been published previously or be under consideration for publication.
• The complete Call for Papers for WIL26 can be downloaded here >>.   

Join us for an inspiring journey of conversations and collaborations, where diverse ideas flourish and knowledge is co-created. Creating change together will propel WIL into a new era of diversity and excellence.

Welcome to submit your work!