CAUCE is dedicated to supporting the success of our members and their engagement with not only professional and adult learners but also diverse learning communities. Our roles as professionals in continuing education often require innovation, problem solving, entrepreneurial spirit, nimble growth, and collaboration as we respond to industry and community needs.
We want to hear about practices within your continuing education unit that improve the careers and lives of people in your community and beyond.
What are we looking for?
Our aim for this conference is to create an inclusive and accessible event that encourages lifelong learning and professional growth. We welcome presenters of all ethnicities, genders, ages, abilities, religions, and sexual orientations to voluntarily share any relevant information about your lived experience within the presentation proposal.
We are looking for submissions that provide engaging opportunities for learning and knowledge exchange from and for people working in all areas and with all levels of experience in CE. Make sure you focus on the “how” not just “what” so that actual experiences and lessons learned can be shared. To put it another way, we are looking for presentations where the focus is on strategic, tactical, and operational details where participants will leave your session with new ideas that they can take back to their workplace. What take-away can you provide the audience (e.g., a model, tactic, template, detailed steps, principles, etc.)?
Theme
Thriving in Change and Complexity: Rising to the Challenge in Continuing Education
As profound shifts in technology, the workforce, and social dynamics present both opportunities and challenges, Continuing Education practitioners remain committed to creating meaningful and lasting impacts for our learners and communities. Rising to this challenge demands constant evolution and the ability to anticipate global trends while delivering transformative learning experiences.
As providers of Continuing Education, we are tasked with designing agile programs that integrate new technologies, foster inclusivity and align with the demands of a world in perpetual motion. The skills that are indispensable today may be obsolete tomorrow, requiring us to pioneer solutions that prepare learners for the unknown.
Responding to rapid change demands collaborative approaches that enable institutions, educators, and communities to work together to support access to life-long learning. However, while our approaches, methodologies, and topics evolve, our purpose as providers of Continuing Education remains unchanged.
CAUCE Conference 2026 invites us to reflect on our capacity for adaptation and to explore bold, innovative ways to tackle the challenges of an uncertain future while staying true to our mission of empowering communities and transforming lives through education that inspires and prepares us all to thrive in a constantly changing world.
Streams
To get your creative juices flowing, we have included some ideas for your consideration within each of the five conference streams described below. Keep in mind that you are not limited to these suggestions and ideas.
If your proposal is related to Research and Scholarship in Continuing Education or you are presenting your CAUCE-sponsored research project, please select the stream that best fits your presentation topic.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other new educational technologies are revolutionizing CE, reshaping how learning is delivered, assessed, and aligned with workforce needs. Institutions must navigate technologies’ opportunities and challenges, ensuring their ethical and effective integration into educational practices. This stream explores the impact of new technologies by discussing emerging trends, best practices, and real-world applications that enhance learning, accessibility, and workforce development. Proposal ideas include (but are not limited to):
- Harnessing new educational technologies to drive innovation in CE, making learning more flexible, accessible, and responsive to evolving industry needs.
- Adapting curricula to AI-driven advancements, designing new programs and career pathways that align with emerging AI-driven industries and workforce demands.
- Identifying key challenges and risks of AI in education, including ethical concerns, data privacy, and automation reliance, while exploring strategies for adaptation and responsible integration.
- Enhancing personalized learning through AI-driven adaptive systems, AI-powered tutoring, chatbots, and virtual assistants to improve learner engagement and outcomes.
- Empowering educators with generative AI and automation, enhancing content creation, curriculum development, and instructional design while optimizing assessment, competency-based learning, and skills validation.
- Expanding accessibility with AI-driven assistive technologies, ensuring inclusive learning experiences for diverse populations.
- Developing AI literacy among learners and educators, promoting ethical, transparent, and responsible use of AI tools in education.
CE must proactively adapt to evolving workforce needs in an era of rapid technological and economic change. By aligning educational programs with industry demands, institutions can ensure learners develop the skills necessary for long-term career success. This stream explores how data-driven strategies, employer collaborations, and innovative learning models can create stronger connections between CE and the labor market. Proposal ideas include (but are not limited to):
- Discussing how CE can bridge the gap between academic programs and industry workforce needs.
- Examining how CE institutions can develop adaptable curricula and innovative delivery methods that cater to diverse learners and evolving job market trends.
- Analyzing market research and data-driven insights to design relevant programs that enhance career opportunities.
- Exploring best practices in employer partnerships and integrating work-based learning to improve job readiness and skill application.
- Implementing upskilling and reskilling strategies that equip learners with future-ready competencies.
- Showcasing successful CE programs that have demonstrated measurable impact on employment outcomes.
Learners seek flexible, skills-based pathways to career advancement in a rapidly evolving job market. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and micro-credentials empower individuals to leverage their existing knowledge, gain industry-recognized qualifications, and transition seamlessly into new career opportunities. CE institutions are key in enhancing accessibility, transparency, and workforce integration through innovative credentialing models. This stream explores best practices, emerging trends, and research that support CE and career mobility. Proposal ideas include (but are not limited to):
- Examining how RPL serves as a tool for accessibility and workforce integration, recognizing diverse learning experiences and competencies.
- Developing micro-credentials and stackable learning options that align with industry needs and provide flexible career pathways.
- Exploring competency-based education models that support CE and skill validation beyond traditional credentials.
- Ensuring credential transparency and employer recognition to build trust and value in alternative learning pathways.
- Analyzing policy and regulatory frameworks that influence the adoption of RPL and micro-credentials.
- Exploring and sharing research findings on the impact of alternative credentials on employability and professional development.
Effective leadership is critical for the sustainability and growth of CE institutions in an era of rapid change and uncertainty. Leaders must navigate evolving operational challenges with adaptability, resilience, and collaboration while fostering a culture of innovation and inclusivity. This stream explores strategies for guiding CE units through transformation, implementing change management practices, and strengthening cross-sector partnerships to ensure long-term success. Proposal ideas include (but are not limited to):
- Examining adaptive strategies that enable institutions to respond effectively to evolving educational landscapes and shifting external conditions that impact institutional decision-making and operations.
- Exploring change management approaches that support faculty, administrators, and staff in implementing sustainable institutional change.
- Assessing best practices for building institutional resilience to navigate financial, technological, and societal shifts.
- Highlighting collaborative initiatives that bring together higher education, industry, and community partners to drive innovation and impact.
- Exploring data-informed decision-making practices that enhance institutional responsiveness, strategic planning, and operational effectiveness.
- Examining the impact of strategic marketing and communications in increasing program visibility, attracting diverse learners, and strengthening institutional identity.
Equitable access to education is essential for fostering inclusive and diverse learning environments. CE institutions play a crucial role in dismantling barriers, embedding culturally responsive approaches, and leveraging technology to ensure accessibility for learners of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities. Recognizing the importance of Indigenous knowledge, traditions, and perspectives, this stream also highlights strategies for decolonizing education, advancing Truth and Reconciliation efforts, and fostering meaningful collaborations with Indigenous communities.
This stream explores strategies, best practices, and success stories that promote inclusivity, accessibility, and culturally responsive learning in CE. Proposal ideas include (but are not limited to):
- Embedding EDIA and IE principles in CE to create just, inclusive, and equitable learning environments.
- Advancing equity and accessibility by integrating EDIA and IE across academic and workforce development initiatives.
- Promoting culturally responsive and inclusive learning to support a diverse learner population.
- Removing barriers to education for underserved and underrepresented communities through targeted institutional strategies.
- Leveraging AI, adaptive learning, and assistive technologies to enhance accessibility and support diverse learning needs.
- Strengthening partnerships with Indigenous communities to align education with their self-determined needs and priorities.
- Implementing actionable strategies for Truth and Reconciliation, ensuring lasting institutional change beyond acknowledgment.
- Developing culturally responsive initiatives that support Indigenous learners in their academic, professional, and personal growth.
- Showcasing success stories of programs that significantly expand access, equity, inclusion, and Indigenous education in CE.
Selection criteria
The selection committee is particularly interested in submissions that reflect the diversity of the CAUCE membership.
- Relevance to conference theme and stream.
- Useable takeaways for the audience.
- Relevance and appeal to the intended conference audience and CAUCE constituents.
- Clarity and completeness of the proposal (what you will be presenting and how).
- The degree to which the presentation is based on responsive and innovative practices.
- Currency and uniqueness of the topic and information.
- The degree to which the presentation topic and key points reflect the diversity of both learners and Continuing Education professionals.
- The degree to which the presentation is engaging and participatory for an in-person audience
All sessions should share your responsive and innovative practices related to the conference theme “Thriving in Change and Complexity: Rising to the Challenge in Continuing Education” and focus on at least one of the five streams. We encourage collaboration among institutions and disciplines.
Please ensure that your proposal, biography (max 150 words), and session description are all clear, complete, and correct, and describe your intended audience. Incomplete submissions may be returned for revision or not reviewed. In addition, review the accountability statement for presentations below.
How to Submit
Please read the following information prior to submitting your proposal.
Submit your proposal online using ProposalSpace. The call will close at 11:59 pm EST on Monday, December 1, 2025. Thank you for helping the program planning committee meet the conference planning timelines by submitting your proposal before the deadline.
Proposals may include individual or small-group presentations, panel discussions, or workshops presented face-to-face. All sessions should share specific responsive and innovative practices, be related to the conference theme “Thriving in Change and Complexity: Rising to the Challenge in Continuing Education” and focus on at least one of the five streams. Sessions may be 45 or 60 minutes.
The submission form will ask you to indicate your presentation preference from the conference:
- Individual or small-group presentations (45 or 60 minutes)
- Panel discussions (60 minutes)
- Interactive workshops (60 minutes)
All presenters are required to attend the conference in-person, as concurrent session rooms are not equipped for remote participation. This ensures the best possible experience for our delegates.
Before submitting your proposal, ensure that you have obtained authorization from your supervisor, including budget approval, to attend the conference in Halifax, NS if your proposal is accepted.
Important notes
- You will be notified if your proposal is accepted the week of January 12, 2026.
- Once accepted, confirm your presentation and in-person attendance with the secretariat before January 31, 2026.
- You must register and pay your conference fees by March 23, 2026, to officially confirm your presentation date and time. Early-bird registration will open on or before March 1, 2026. Registration fees will range from approximately $750 - $900 plus HST.
- You agree that, following your session, your presentation slides will be published on the conference app in .pdf format.
- When submitting your proposal, ensure presenter biographies and session descriptions are written as you would like them to appear in the conference agenda. The Program Planning Committee reserves the right to revise descriptions and presenter biographies as required.
Accountability Statement for Presentations
We are excited to invite you to contribute to our conference and want to ensure that your presentation delivers the value and insights promised in your proposal. To maintain the highest standards and provide a rewarding experience for all attendees, please adhere to the following guidelines:
- Content Alignment: Your presentation should align with the proposal submitted. The use of generative AI to refine your proposal is acceptable, but the final presentation should accurately reflect the approved description.
- Consistency: If there are any changes to your presentation after acceptance, you must resubmit the updated version for review. This ensures that all descriptions remain accurate, and attendees receive the content they expect.
- Accuracy: Ensure that your presentation content matches the description provided in your proposal. This helps maintain the credibility and reliability of our conference program.
By following these guidelines, we can collectively ensure a consistent, engaging, and valuable experience for all participants. Thank you for your commitment to excellence!