Conference theme and discussion threads
From Disruption to Connection
Digital Transformation in Postsecondary Education
Digital transformation in higher education is here. Change is happening more rapidly than ever. GenAI is transforming assessment practices; traditional academic structures and programs are shifting to further meet learners’ needs; how, where, when and why we learn and communicate has expanded. With each new wave of change comes a familiar tide: an ebb and flow of concern and optimism about what this could mean for the future of postsecondary teaching and learning.
Each new disruption offers an opportunity to renew relationships and focus our efforts on a core principle of education—the importance of connection. Pedagogical and organizational shifts highlight the importance of fostering community, flexibility, and belonging in teaching and learning. In these times especially, we must cultivate relationships grounded in respect, reciprocity, care and curiosity.
There is incredible opportunity for postsecondary education to spark innovation and ingenuity, in educational practices, communities and systems. As we consider leading digital transformation in higher education, we wonder:
- How can digital transformation move beyond disruption to become a unifying force for connection—linking students, educators, communities, and knowledge in more authentic and impactful ways?
- In what ways are our teaching, learning and assessment practices transforming?
- What roles are technologies playing in shaping our teaching and learning practices?
- How can we redesign our systems and processes to embrace evolving ways of working, teaching and learning together?
- What could relational approaches to digital transformation look like in higher education?
- In what ways can digital transformation be aligned with Indigenization, decolonization, and our commitments to truth and reconciliation within postsecondary education?
- How can digital transformation advance equitable, accessible, and flexible learning experiences, especially for historically underrepresented and remote student populations?
- What skills, mindsets, and supports do educators and students need to confidently and ethically navigate GenAI-integrated and technology-rich tools and learning environments?
- What institutional policies, leadership approaches, and resource investments are necessary to overcome structural, financial, and cultural barriers to sustainable digital transformation?
The 2026 Conference on Postsecondary Learning and Teaching will explore the implications, reflections, and reorientation of a sector in transition: From Disruption to Connection: Digital Transformation in Postsecondary Education.
Threads
The following conference threads represent cross-cutting issues related to teaching and learning in post-secondary education. These threads do not change year-over-year and provide presenters and delegates with an opportunity to further customize their conference sessions and experiences:
- Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility: Equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA) are about valuing human difference, removing barriers that impede equal access, and ensuring that all learners and educators can participate meaningfully. This thread explores creating equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible learning and teaching opportunities so that all voices are heard, respected and valued.
- Blended and Online Learning: Blended and online courses and programs provide unique opportunities to support student engagement, interaction, access, and success. This thread explores the pedagogy, practice and scholarship of intentional blended and online course design that centers students’ learning and engagement in blended and online learning environments.
- Experiential Learning (EL): Experiential learning is learning-by-doing that bridges knowledge and experience through critical reflection. This thread explores how EL activities can be intentionally designed and assessed, to empower students and enhance skills such as complex problem solving, professional practice skills, critical reflection, and teamwork.
- Indigenous Perspectives: Indigenous perspectives honour the histories, knowledges, methodologies, pedagogies and practices of Indigenous peoples and create shared understandings of truth and reconciliation. This thread explores how to advance Indigenous ways of knowing, being, doing, and connecting in postsecondary education.
- Interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches: Educators and students often view learning through their own disciplinary lenses. To solve complex challenges, our work often requires collaboration between, across, and beyond traditional academic disciplines, often in partnership with communities. This thread explores teaching and learning where different disciplines meet (interdisciplinarity) and across disciplines within and beyond the university (transdisciplinarity).
- Learning Partnerships: Learning is a reciprocal process at the course, program and curriculum levels for educators and students. This thread explores what meaningful educator and student partnerships can look like in various teaching and learning contexts.
- Learning Spaces and Technology: Technology facilitates the discovery of knowledge, expression of voice and collaboration across space and time. Physical and virtual learning spaces are critical components of our academic communities, which influence how educators and students collaborate, connect, adapt, and access teaching and learning. This thread explores the impact of learning spaces and technologies on our teaching and learning communities, cultures, and practices.
- Mental Health and Well-being: The construction of safe, caring learning environments that embrace diversity and collaboration is essential for nurturing creativity and the development of resilient and flourishing individuals and communities. This thread examines how teaching and learning communities, approaches and practices can promote mental health and well-being across multiple organizational levels.
- Sustainability: Universities are strongly positioned to address opportunities and challenges related to sustainability, locally and globally. This thread explores how educators and students can contribute to teaching and learning practices and approaches related to sustainability, as well as how we promote sustainable teaching and learning practices, across diverse post-secondary contexts.
- Teaching and Learning Research, Scholarship and Inquiry: Scholarship, research and inquiry related to supporting teaching and student learning across multiple organizational levels can lead to transformative change. This thread explores the possibilities, challenges and outcomes related to supporting engagement in teaching and learning research, scholarship and inquiry.
- Entrepreneurial Thinking: UCalgary describes entrepreneurial thinking as “being creative in finding innovative solutions. It involves taking initiative, exchanging knowledge across disciplines, being resourceful, and learning from experience.” This theme explores how postsecondary institutions and educators can further inspire entrepreneurial thinking through inquiry, problem solving, collaboration, resilience and a learning-focused mindset.