Call for Abstracts: 51st IAEA Annual Conference, Toronto 2026

Abstract submission deadline: 31 March 2026

The International Association for Educational Assessment (IAEA) is heading to Toronto this autumn for its 51st annual conference, hosted by the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) and supported by Vretta Inc. It promises to be a landmark gathering for anyone involved in the design, delivery and development of educational assessments — and the call for abstracts is now open.

Why this conference matters

The IAEA conference is widely regarded as one of the foremost global forums for the assessment community. It brings together assessment organisations, ministries of education, researchers, psychometricians, technology innovators and policymakers from more than fifty countries.

Dan Koenig, Chief Executive Officer of EQAO and a driving force behind the 2026 event, is clear about what sets IAEA apart: "It is the world's leading professional community dedicated to high-quality educational assessment. On the ground, in the sessions, it's dedicated to those people that are going to make a difference in educational assessment — those global thought leaders that are ultimately going to influence policy, resource allocations, curriculum design, and then ultimately what we're all about: improving student success and achievement."

Unlike many large conferences where exhibitor presence can dominate, the IAEA programme is firmly rooted in evidence-based discussion and practitioner-led knowledge exchange. As Koenig puts it: "The IAEA is really a neutral, research-driven forum to share evidence, compare approaches and learn from each other."

The conference theme

This year's theme — Trust, Transparency and Technology in Educational Assessment — reflects the most pressing challenges facing our sector. Abstracts are invited across three interconnected subthemes:

Trust

• Culturally responsive assessment practices — designing assessments that reflect diverse cultural contexts and promote inclusion
• Student and educator voice in assessment design — collaborative approaches that engage learners and educators in the process
• Accountability versus support — balancing stakeholder expectations whilst ensuring quality and supporting growth

Transparency

• Data sharing and reporting — promoting clarity, accessibility and responsible communication of assessment results
• Transparency in assessment design and scoring — making methods, criteria and processes open and understandable
• Equity and fairness — ensuring impartiality across diverse student populations and contexts

Technology

• AI and machine learning in assessment design and scoring — harnessing intelligent systems to enhance efficiency, accuracy and personalisation
• Digital assessments — examining innovation, accessibility and practical implementation in digital environments
• Privacy and security — safeguarding data and maintaining ethical standards in technology-driven assessment systems

What the conference needs from you

Koenig is passionate about ensuring the right voices are in the room: "We want policymakers, those national assessment leaders, to be part of the conversation. We want school and system leaders, researchers and university thought leaders who can say, here are your best practices, here's what the research is telling us. And then of course those in ed tech and development — so many people are moving from paper to digital and that transition is really important."

He is equally keen to hear from those working on equity and inclusion, noting that Ontario is one of the most diverse provinces in the world: "Is our assessment really reflective of the students that are in the classroom? Those equity and inclusion advocates — we want them to be there and present as well."

On the topic of AI, Koenig draws a striking parallel: "It almost reminds me of the introduction of the internet and how it was going to revolutionise daily life. And that's the feeling I get from the implementation of AI. There are so many promises being made as to what it can do for you. We're trying to figure out what's the reality." He sees the conference as a vital opportunity to cut through the noise and bring together those leading the way in applying AI responsibly across the assessment landscape.

Submission formats and guidelines

The conference offers several presentation formats to suit different types of contribution:

• Presentation session (30 minutes) — one or two presenters
• Presentation session (45 minutes) — one or two presenters
• Panel discussion (90 minutes) — three or more presenters
• Poster presentation (10 minutes) — one presenter

For presentation sessions and panel discussions, abstracts should be a maximum of 350 words and should cover the purpose, methodology, key findings or insights, and implications for educational assessment. Poster proposals require a 200-word abstract including an introduction, methodology, results, and discussion.

All submissions and presentations must be in English. Accepted authors will be required to submit full papers in Times New Roman 12pt, 1.5 line spacing, using APA 7th edition referencing.

Key dates

• Abstract submission deadline: Tuesday, 31 March 2026
• Notification of acceptance: Thursday, 30 April 2026
• Papers and presentations due: Tuesday, 30 June 2026

A message for first-time attendees

For those weighing up whether the IAEA conference is worth the investment, Koenig offers a compelling case: "It's truly one of the few global forums where you are going to meet and network with assessment specialists, leaders in assessment, policymakers, decision-makers and technology innovators — and the ability to meet with them as equals and have those discussions. You get unprecedented access to thought leaders who are shaping assessment policies and new initiatives worldwide."

He emphasises that the programme goes well beyond theory: "You're going to hear case studies of how people have implemented, how they've monitored, and what successes and challenges they've had. It gives you the chance to benchmark — here's where I am, and here's where some other assessment programmes around the world are. What steps did they take to get there, and what can I learn from that?"

For Koenig, the potential impact is deeply personal: "Many times it's a career-defining moment. I think if you come, you're going to have a smorgasbord of opportunity and ideas, and it's going to be a career-defining moment for you as a professional."

Listen to Dan Koenig discuss how important it is to attend IAEA 2026 and why your voice needs to be heard.

Submit your abstract

If you have research, practice or insights to share on trust, transparency or technology in educational assessment, the organisers want to hear from you. Visit iaea2026.org to submit your abstract before 31 March 2026. for further information.

The 51st IAEA Annual Conference