Welcome to the 2026 Graduate Students/Post-docs Teaching in Higher Education: Empowering the Next Generation of Educators Conference, a unique virtual gathering dedicated to graduate students and postdoctoral scholars who are actively engaged in teaching within higher education, either as sessionals/adjuncts or teaching assistants (TA). This conference aims to provide a platform for emerging and early career educators to share innovative teaching practices, explore new pedagogical strategies, and network with peers invested in improving teaching and supporting student learning. The sessions will be organized so that you can engage in topics necessary to fulfill your role as a TA and/or instructor in higher education. It is designed to help you develop and improve your teaching skills and a great opportunity to connect with and share your ideas and experiences with other graduate students/post-docs.
Conference Date: Friday, August 7, 8 am to 6 pm Pacific Time
In the conference program, you will experience a wide range of topics related to teaching and learning in higher education, including but not limited to:
• Innovative Teaching Methods
• Technology Tools Used in Teaching
• Assessment and Evaluation
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Professional Development
• Student Learning
• Health and Wellness for Students
Language of Conference: English
Session Types:
- interactive workshops (60 minutes)
- oral presentations (30 minutes)
- posters
Recognition
As an attendee, if you attend at least six sessions and submit a reflective one-two page essay by August 14, 2026, you will receive a certificate acknowledging your commitment to enhancing your teaching. Go to the recognition tab to upload your reflective essay.
Important Information
On the following pages, you will find sessions grouped by time frame. Click on the session you want to attend to find the Join Zoom Meeting link. Only registered attendees can access the conference. Please do not share the zoom link with anyone else.
Testimonials from the 2025 Conference:
Due to attending the conference, I will integrate more compassionate teaching practices, such as active listening and flexible accommodations, into my current teaching assistant role; explore co-teaching opportunities to support my transition into a future teaching career; and begin refining my teaching narrative by incorporating reflective insights and student feedback to enhance its authenticity and persuasiveness.
From this conference, I learned that the implementation of trauma-informed teaching methods and the imperative to build more inclusive communities in higher education is crucial. This involves incorporating compassion, providing content warnings for sensitive material, and using multi-faceted teaching approaches to accommodate all learners.
My big take away from this conference was the critical importance of intentionality when using AI in both research and daily life. This includes understanding both the risks and the beneficial opportunities AI offers to enhance research quality and streamline educational processes.
