The University of British Columbia’s Department of Educational Studies (EDST) is excited to announce that the annual Research Day will be held in person on Friday, April 4, 2025. This event is a cornerstone of our academic community, providing a platform for students and faculty to showcase their innovative research, practices, and theoretical contributions to the field of education.

Theme: Education and the Machine

In an era marked by rapid technological advancements—from the rise of generative AI tools to the proliferation of online learning platforms and evolving educational institutions—the landscape of education is undergoing significant transformation. This year’s theme, “Education and the Machine,” invites researchers to explore how education may evolve in response to these changes. Key questions include:

• What are the educational implications of these technological shifts for various sectors of society?
• How might educational aims and contexts inform and be informed by rapid technological change, especially as it reshapes elements of what it means to be human?

While the theme raises important questions, applicants should not feel limited to address the theme only. We also invite proposals on other education-related topics.

Call for Submissions

We invite proposals for various presentation formats, including:

• Individual Presentations: Traditional or alternative formats, such as paper presentations (20-minute talk with 10-minute Q&A), short presentations (7-minute talk with 5-minute Q&A), ignite sessions (20 slides in 5 minutes with 5-minute Q&A), art performances, film presentations (up to 20 minutes), and poster presentations.
• Roundtable and Panel Sessions: These 75-minute sessions can include panel discussions (2-4 panelists with audience Q&A), roundtable discussions (equal participation from all attendees), book sessions (presentation of a new book followed by Q&A), and Scholars’ Café (informal sessions showcasing unique research at EDST).

Submission Guidelines

The submission deadline is February 21, 2025. Each session should include at least one EDST student, but we encourage collaborations with EDST faculty members and/or students from other departments. Faculty members are invited to take an active role throughout Research Day as discussants, moderators, facilitators, and mentors.

Proposal Requirements

For Individual Presentations, please include:

1. Presenter’s name, department, and program
2. Type of presentation
3. Full title of the proposed presentation
4. A 150–200-word abstract or description of the presentation

For Panel/Roundtable Discussions, please include:

1. Facilitator’s name, department, and program
2. Type of session
3. Full title of the proposal
4. A brief summary of planned activities and key participants’ names, along with a 150–200-word abstract for each speaker

Submit your completed proposals by February 21, 2025, through the following link:

Submission Form

Need Assistance?

If you’re interested in presenting but unsure how to prepare, our Graduate Academic Assistants (GAAs) are available to discuss your proposal ideas and assist with preparation. Contact them at: edst.gaa@ubc.ca

For ongoing updates and further details, please visit the Research Day 2025 webpage.

We look forward to your contributions to making Research Day 2025 a significant and enriching event for our department.