The 2026 Researching Work and Learning International Conference will take place in Brisbane, Australia in December 2026. The conference theme is Researching lifelong learning and innovation for work in times of crisis - and although we might hope that by then we might not be facing so many crises, it's probably safest to assume the world will still be in flux. More details on the conference website.

Researching lifelong learning and innovation for work in times of crisis

The current era is characterised by crises associated with climate change, mass migration, social and economic transformation, aging populations, domestic violence and geopolitical tension. Consequently, nation states, communities and individuals are experiencing unprecedented levels of uncertainty and concern. Such a complex set of challenges inevitably generates a range of impacts at national, community and individual levels. Many of these challenges and their potential resolutions are directly or indirectly associated with work and working life. Consequently, it is incumbent upon researchers in the disciplines informing work, learning and innovation to be active, agile, and focused to generate evidence and effective practices to advance workers’ learning, development and participation in workplace innovations. It follows then that as social scientists, the Researching Work and Learning research community needs to engage with and address these challenges.

More details on the conference website.