THE ASSEMBLY CALL FOR PROPOSALS

The deadline for proposal submissions is May 28, 2026

The Assembly, the Learning Mobility Convening, is a dedicated space to advancing Learning Mobility in higher education. We invite practitioners, researchers, institutional leaders, and technology partners to share innovative practices, emerging research, and actionable strategies that move the field forward.

This is a targeted, design-forward call for proposals. We are seeking sessions that address specific, high-impact areas of learning mobility — not a general call for presentations. Proposals should reflect real work happening in the field and be positioned to drive action beyond the event itself.

Session proposals with a presenter or co-presenter representing a corporate entity can contact corporates@aacrao.org to learn more about opportunities to present at The Assembly.

The Assembly is the cornerstone annual summit of the Learning Mobility Lab community and the next evolution of the longstanding AACRAO Technology and Transfer conferences. Born from extensive research and shaped by direct member feedback, The Assembly represents a renewed, ambitious vision for what these conferences can achieve.

Far more than a traditional event, The Assembly is the culmination of the Learning Mobility Lab’s ongoing work and serves as a space to spotlight national progress, advance new initiatives, and create shared action agendas. Here, community members showcase data, celebrate milestones, and co-design future interventions. The Assembly is where learning mobility becomes movement.

This dynamic summit asks you to be more than just an attendee; you are an active collaborator. The Assembly creates a living, evolving movement dedicated to driving year-round action on Learning Mobility. Each year, we’ll rally around a new, critical theme, giving you a chance to actively build, challenge, and shape the future of how learners move through their educational and career paths.

We launch this new chapter in 2025–2026 with the AACRAO National Learning Mobility Challenge for Improving Transfer Time-To-Decision, an ambitious initiative to reimagine the systems and structures that shape learner progress.

Call for Proposals Open: April 13, 2026

Presenters Notified of Acceptance Status: on a rolling basis

Registration: OPEN NOW

Suggested Topics

Sample Proposal Form

Presenter Agreements

Submission Checklist

• Presentation Formats

  Presentation Formats and Types
  Submit a pre-conference workshop, breakout session, roundtable, panel, or research session topic for consideration. Panel discussions, hands-on sessions, and case studies, as well as subject matter that supports the AACRAO Professional Competencies & Proficiencies, will be given additional consideration.  

  Breakout Sessions:

  • 50-minute presentations given by one or more co-presenters
  • Slide and/or video content is expected throughout the presentation
  • Interaction with the audience is encouraged
  • Presenters are encouraged to end breakout sessions with time for Q&A
  • AV includes a podium microphone, a projector and screen, and for larger sessions, a microphone for questions from the audience. 

  Panels:

  • 50-minute presentations given by two or more co-presenters
  • Slide and/or video content is expected throughout the presentation
  • Differing viewpoints or experiences are encouraged from panel members
  • Presenters are encouraged to end breakout sessions with time for Q&A
  • AV includes a panelist table with one table microphone to share, a projector and screen, and for larger sessions, a microphone for questions from the audience

  Roundtables:

  • 50-minute discussions led by one or more co-presenters
  • Slide and/or video content are often included as visual prompt "talking points" for the discussion
  • Roundtables do not follow a “standard lecture format”; they are interactive and involve sharing from the audience throughout the session
  • Note: most session rooms are set with only chairs to accommodate as many attendees as possible; round tables in the room are not guaranteed
  • AV includes a podium microphone, a projector and screen, and for larger sessions, a microphone for questions from the audience

  Session Review Process

• Review Process

  All session proposals submitted for The Assembly undergo a multi-step review process to ensure high-quality, relevant content.

  Initial Review: Proposals are reviewed by members of the The Assembly Advisory Group (TAAG).

  Evaluation Criteria: Reviewers assess proposals based on alignment with Learning Mobility principles, clarity, originality, presenter expertise, and potential for field impact. The rubric used for evaluation is organized around four core principles: Learner-Centered design, Equitable Opportunities, Interoperability & Open Standards, and Value of Education.

  Scoring and Comments: Each proposal is scored and may receive feedback. Strong proposals often demonstrate actionable takeaways, audience engagement strategies, and broad institutional applicability.

  Notification: Submitters are notified of acceptance, alternate, or not-accepted status. Presenters are asked to complete a "confirmation" form indicating their intent to accept or decline their invitation to present at the meeting.

• General Proposal Guidelines

  To ensure presentations are of the highest quality and are applicable to a broad audience, proposals should: 

  • Demonstrate practical applications and direct relevance to learning mobility
  • Present work that is scalable or transferable across institution types
  • Include diverse voices — multiple institutions, sectors, and learner populations where possible
  • Be grounded in data, research, or documented practice
  • Identify a clear 'next step' that other institutions could join, test, or adapt