18th Annual Innovations in Teaching and Learning Conference
Relevant Teaching
Request for Proposals
Our RFP for 2026 ITL is now closed.
The Stearns Center invites George Mason University faculty of all ranks and types, staff, administrators, graduate and postdoctoral students to submit proposals to present on their teaching, teaching-focused research and curricular initiatives at the 18th Annual Innovations in Teaching and Learning Conference. This year’s conference is hybrid. All Teaching Talks sessions will be virtual via Zoom on September 24, 2026 (session times will be determined later). All Interactive Sessions will take place on campus in the Johnson Center on September 25, 2025, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Session Types
Please see the ITL 26 Session Proposal Guide for details on session types to help you create your proposal.
Session Proposal Guide
Individual Teaching Talk Sessions (10 minutes, via Zoom, Sept. 24)
Ideal for an individual graduate student, new instructor and any instructor trying something new in a class or sharing strategies used in class. The presentation:
- Is an individual presentation no more than 10 minutes in length
- Has a maximum of one presenter
- Will be grouped together by the planning committee with two additional Individual Teaching Talks on a similar theme to form one Teaching Talk Session
- May includes a slide deck with no more than 3 slides
Teaching Talk Session (50 minutes, via Zoom, Sept. 24) (NEW)
Ideal for a group of graduate students, new instructors and instructors trying something new and who are presenting on a related topic. The presentation:
- Is a panel presentation of three individual, 10-minute teaching talks (three presenters @ 10 min each equals 30 minutes of talking time total plus 20 minutes for Q&A)
- Has a maximum of three presenters
- Features a 20-minute question-and-answer session facilitated by a moderator that will be assigned by the planning committee
- Each individual presenter may have a slide deck with no more than 3 slides for each individual presenter
Interactive Sessions (50 minutes, in-person at Johnson Center, Sept. 25)
Ideal for individuals or a group to present on advanced topics, curriculum development, advanced research on teaching and learning or demonstrations of advanced teaching strategies and techniques. The presentation:
- Is an individual OR group presentation where individuals collectively present on a single topic (three presenters = 30 minutes of total talking time plus 20 minutes for an interactive activity)
- Has a maximum of three presenters
- Features a 20-minute interactive activity involving the audience
- May include a slide deck with no more than 8 slides
Questions about submitting your proposal or the conference in general?
Visit our FAQ page or contact us as [email protected] with “2026 ITL” in the subject line.