International Conference, entitled:

Migration, the Global Quest for Educational Equity and Intercultural Education

19/6/2026 – 21/6/2026

Call for Papers

1st Call for Papers - Deadline for submissions, 11/01/2026
Information at the attachment!

For registrations and submissions please visit: https://www.conftool.org/iaie2026

The International Association of Intercultural Education (IAIE) is accepting papers for its forthcoming international conference co-organized with the Hellenic Open University (HOU). This 1st Call for Papers is for IAIE, ΚΑΜΕ, NAME and SIRIUS members and HOU faculty and adjunct members, in priority. A second Call for Papers will follow for all, members and non-members

The forthcoming IAIE International Conference, organized together with the Hellenic Open University and with the support of SIRIUS, will focus on the multiple challenges that educators face in their quest to create more just and inclusive societies.

Some of these challenges, such as tackling global climate change and how to best promote diversity in schools and classrooms have been on the radar for some time. Others, like the rise of the far right, Artificial Intelligence and wars close to Europe’s borders pose new ones. This Conference will bring together researchers, scholars and practitioners to share, reflect and discuss how the field can address these challenges and move forward. We hope that the conference will stimulate new initiatives, new ideas and new research that can benefit society and create a safer, more accepting and more just world

The structure of this Conference is slightly different than most other IAIE Conferences.

Day 1 will include a keynote speech (confirmed) by Emeritus Professor James Banks, Kerry and Linda Killinger Endowed Chair in Diversity Studies, University of Washington, USA, Plus 2 interactive and engaging Symposia! One on Migration and Refugee Policies and the other on Global and Intercultural Competencies!

Day 2 will consist of a more traditional format with presentations.

Day 3 an educational visit- retreat to a winery close to Athens or one day trip to island for those who wish to participate (TBD - special price)

The conference will be limited in size due to space restrictions, so we urge people to submit proposals early on. Due to these space restrictions, we will be accepting a maximum of 100-120 proposals/presentations across 3 strands. We encourage policy-related papers which will spark dialogue and synergies at the international level.

Note that there will be a free webinar that will follow the Conference shortly after its closure. The theme and content of the webinar will depend on a needs assessment at the Conference.

The Conference is dedicated to the memory of Jagdish Singh Gundara, IAIE President, Emeritus Professor at the University of London and to Professor Michele Malamud Kahn, IAIE Vice President, and Professor at University of Houston- Clear Lake.

4 BEST PAPER AWARDS in MEMORIAL of the above colleagues will be given to research papers that have demonstrated exceptional excellence, innovation, and significance to the respective fields of the Conference, following a selection-evaluation process by a special committee (to be announced) .

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International Scientific Committee (ISC)

General Chair, Nektaria Palaiologou – IAIE Honorary Vice President, Professor, School of Humanities, Hellenic Open University (HOU), Greece – Director of “Language Education for Refugees and Migrants” (acronym: “L.R.M.”) – Master’s Degree Programme at HOU  

Co-Chair, Barry van Driel– IAIE President 

International Scientific Committee (ISC)

  • Hana Alhadi- IAIE, Netherlands
  • Hasan Aydin– Florida Gulf Coast University, USA
  • Mattia Baiutti – IAIE Secretary General
  • James A. Banks –University of Washington, USA
  • Leslie Bash- IAIE and University College London, UK
  • Marija Bartulovic– IAIE and University of Zagreb, Croatia
  • Carla Chamberlin– The Pennsylvania State University, Abington College, USA
  • Rory Mc Daid – SIRIUS and Marino Institute of Education in Dublin, Ireland
  • Konstantinos (Kostas) Dinas – University of Western Macedonia, Greece
  • Miquel Àngel Essomba Gelabert – Autonomous University of Barcelona
  • Barbara Gross –Free University of Boxzen- Bozano, Italy
  • Jan Christian Gube – Hong Kong University, Hong Kong
  • Nikos Gogonas – University of Thessaly, Greece
  • Zoe Karanikola- University of Patras and HOU, Greece
  • Ioannis Karras– Ionian University and HOU, Greece
  • Anastasia Kesidou- Aristotle University, Greece
  • Evmorfia (Efi) Kipouropoulou– University of Western Macedonia, Greece
  • Dionysia (Diana) Kontogianni – University of Crete, Greece
  • Achilleas Kostoulas, University of Thessaly and HOU, Greece
  • Giorgos Koulaouzides– Hellenic Open University, Greece
  • Emmanouil (Manolis) Koutouzis – Hellenic Open University, Greece
  • Eleni Koutsouraki – University of Crete and HOU, Greece
  • Argyris Kyridis- Aristotle University, Greece
  • Giorgos Mavrommatis – University of Thrace, Greece
  • Kostas Magos – University of Thessaly, Greece
  • Evangelia (Gelly) Manousou– Hellenic Open University, Greece
  • Domna Michail – University of Western Macedonia, Greece
  • Kyung-Hwan Mo– Seoul National University, Korea
  • Giorgos Nikolaou– University of Patras, Greece
  • Eleni Oikonomidoy– University of Nevada, USA
  • Vassiliki Papadopoulou – Aristotle University, Greece
  • Agostino Portera –IAIE and University of Verona, Italy
  • Thomais Rousoulioti- Aristotle University and HOU, Greece
  • Eleni Samsari –Hellenic Open University, Greece
  • Sang Hwan Seong– Seoul National University, Korea
  • Nicos Sifakis– National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and HOU, Athens
  • George Simopoulos – UNICEF Hellas and HOU, Greece
  • Miri Shonfeld- IAIE and MOFET, Kibbutzim College of Education, Israel
  • Manos Spyridakis- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
  • Tomislav (Tom) Tudjman- RISBO and Erasmus University, Netherlands
  • Kostis Tsioumis- Aristotle University, Greece
  • Dimitris Zachos– Aristotle University, Greece
  • Anat Ziff- IAIE, Netherlands
Strands

Strand 1: Intercultural and Multicultural Education in times of Migration

Strand Chairs: Leslie Bash, Carla Chamberlin, Agostino Portera

This strand focuses on modern perspectives and conceptualizations, as well as practical applications and policy-related reflections, relating to intercultural and multicultural education and explores possibilities to both broaden and deepen our understandings of identity and diversity issues. ReseStrandsarchers and practitioners will present studies that situate intercultural and multicultural education policies and practices within multiple layers of global-local contexts whereby discursive practices regarding multicultural and intercultural education are both elaborated and constrained. By constructively challenging and providing new insights into evolving strategies, approaches and methodologies for multicultural and intercultural education, this strand hopes to contribute to international collaborative efforts to open up new possibilities for intercultural/multicultural education in times of complexity and migration.

Strand 2: Inclusion and diversity – the dynamics of intersectionality

Strand Chairs: Marija Bartulovic, Barbara Gross, Barry van Driel

Inclusion has become a priority in education in many societies, aiming to give space to individuals who belong to various communities and have multiple identities that impact their educational opportunities and challenges. Diversities based on race, ethnicity, origin, sexual orientation, religion, special educational needs will be covered here. Key dimensions focusing on intersectionality and cultural diversity in educational inclusion cover the following topics: Multiple Identities: How refugee and migrant students experience overlapping challenges – potential trauma, resilience and overcoming barriers to access.  Intersectional Pedagogical Responses: Developing teaching approaches that recognize the full complexity of migrant students’ identities, moving beyond basic language support to addressing how cultural values, previous educational experiences, and family expectations interact with classroom dynamics and academic expectations. Community and Belonging: Addressing how community relationships, teacher attitudes, and institutional practices can either support or undermine the integration of students with intersecting cultural and social identities. Systemic Support Networks: Building holistic support systems that recognize how migration status intersects with age, gender, family structure, and individual needs to create personalized pathways for educational inclusion and success. Papers dealing with educational practice, research and policy analyses are encouraged.

Strand 3: Migrants, refugees and asylum seekers

Strand Chairs: Nektaria Palaiologou, Jan Christian Gube, Eleni Oikonomidoy

This strand focuses on the following current topics which are associated with migrants and refugees in the reception countries. Legal and Policy Frameworks such as international law, asylum procedures, and governance mechanisms struggling to address fluid migration patterns and prolonged displacement processes. Socioeconomic exclusion and participation, access to the labor market, mobile populations across transit and destination contexts. Identity, belonging issues and transnational networks: How constant mobility shapes cultural identity, community formation, diaspora connections, and sense of place among displaced populations. Health, protection, and vulnerability: Access to healthcare, education, and social services for populations in continuous movement, particularly focusing on women, children, and vulnerable, marginalized groups.

Note- for online submissions exclusively at: https://www.conftool.org/iaie2026/

Contact persons per Strand, as follows:

Registration Fees

Early Bird registration fees: until 20th of March 2026

Day 1 only: IAIE, KAME, NAME and SIRIUS members: 75 Euro; Non -members: 100 Euro; Greek participants and Students: 35 Euro. VENUE, DIVANI CARAVEL HOTEL
Day 2 only: IAIE, KAME, NAME and SIRIUS members: 200 Euro; Non- members: 250 Euro; Greeks and students: 35 Euro.
Day 1 and 2 package: IAIE, KAME, NAME and SIRIUS members: 250 Euro; Non- members: 300 Euro; Greeks and students: 60 Euro.
Day 3 (Wine Tasting or one day trip to island)- separate event – more info to follow, upon special price: TBD

Registration fees, after 21st of March 2026:

Day 1 only: IAIE, KAME, NAME and SIRIUS members: 95 Euro; Non-members: 120 Euro; Greek participants and Students: 45 Euro. VENUE, DIVANI CARAVEL HOTEL
Day 2 only: IAIE, KAME, NAME and SIRIUS members: 225 Euro; Non- members: 275 Euro; Greeks and students: 45 Euro.
Day 1 and 2 package: IAIE, KAME, NAME and SIRIUS members: 275 Euro; Non- members: 340 Euro; Greeks and students: 75 Euro.
Day 3 (Wine Tasting or one day trip to island)- separate event – more info to follow, upon special price: TBD

*All participants have to pay registration fees in case of in person participation at the venue of the Conference

  • Online payment will take place through the Conftool platform – more information to follow.
  • For each abstract presentation in case of joint submission*, with more than one co-author (up to five co-authors), at least one registration is obligatory
  • If participants wish to submit final papers for the proceedings (after review), these will be submitted exclusively through the Conftool platform, from 1st– 31st August 2026

Guidelines: 5,000 words for each manuscript (including references, tables, diagrams or photos), APA style, 6th or 7th versions

Important Info and Dates

Please visit the Conference site for updates and news, to see the CALL and the Programme! https://sae.eap.gr/conferences/iaie2026/

Online submissions only, abstracts (approx. 300-400 words single-spaced), 4-5 key-words, and indicative references from 13th October 2025 until 11th of January 2026, at: https://www.conftool.org/iaie2026

The official language of the Conference is English

8 bilingual papers (English/Greek) will be accepted (will be presented in English at the Conference with the support of a translator)

8 papers in Greek language will be accepted.

Posters- ALL Languages will be accepted.

Maximum number of proposals/presentations to be announced: 100-120

Notification of abstracts’ acceptance for 1st CALL FOR PAPERS (CFP) by 1st of February 2026

A 2nd CFP, addressed to ALL, will follow starting 12th of January 2026, with deadline 15th of March 2026.

Notifications of abstracts’ acceptance for 2nd CFP by 5th of April 2026

Local Organizing Committee

Local Organizing Committee (to be updated)

  • Prof. Nektaria Palaiologou, Director of “Language Education for Refugees and Migrants” (acronym: “L.R.M.”) Master’s Degree Programme at HOU
  • Dr. Achilleas Kostoulas, University of Thessaly. Coordinator at “L.R.M.”, HOU, Greece
  • Dr. Thomais Rousoulioti, Aristotle University. Collaborator at “L.R.M.”, HOU, Greece
  • Dr. Eleni Samsari, Collaborator at “L.R.M.” Programme, HOU, Greece
  • Dr. Marina Mogli, Collaborator at “L.R.M.”, HOU, Greece
  • Dr. Chris Lee, Collaborator at “L.R.M.” Programme, HOU, Greece
  • George Kontogeorgas, HOU, Greece
  • Konstantinos Konstantopoulos, HOU, Greece
  • Natalia Leontsini, Collaborator at “L.R.M.”, HOU, Greece
  • Victoria Prekate, Collaborator at “L.R.M.” Programme, HOU, Greece
  • Alexandra Rose de Natale, Collaborator at “L.R.M.” Programme, HOU, Greece
  • Angela Vagena, Collaborator at “L.R.M.” Programme, HOU, Greece
Programme Committee

Chairs

  • Prof. Nektaria Palaiologou, IAIE & HOU, Greece
  • Barry van Driel, IAIE President, Netherlands
  • Assistant Professor, Jan Christian Gube – The Education University of Hong Kong University, Hong Kong

Co-Chairs

  • Dr. Achilleas Kostoulas, University of Thessaly. Coordinator at “L.R.M.”, HOU, Greece
  • Prof. Ioannis Karras, Ionian University. Coordinator at “English as a foreign/international language” Programme, HOU, Greece
  • Dr. Zoe Karanikola, University of Patras. Coordinator at “L.R.M.”, HOU, Greece
  • Prof. Nicos Sifakis – National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Director of English as a foreign/international language” Programme, HOU, Greece
  • Dr. Eleni Samsari, Collaborator at “L.R.M.” Programme, HOU, Greece

For any queries, please send an e-mail to iaie2026@conftool.org