SIG18 Conference

Brussels 2026

Educational Effectiveness
and Improvement

Welcome to sig18 2026

The EARLI SIG18 on Educational Effectiveness and Improvement warmly invites you to its 10th conference! We look forward to welcoming you to the heart of Europe, Brussels. Brussels is a vibrant blend of old-world charm and modern creativity, where stunning Art Nouveau architecture meets cozy cafés, world-class museums, and lively markets. Come for the legendary chocolate, waffles, and beer — stay for the warm, multicultural energy that makes every corner feel like a new discovery. In short, the ideal the place to talk education!

Conference Theme

“Bridging Educational Effectiveness and Improvement Research: Scientific Foundations and Implementations in the Field of Practice”

Important dates

– Submission Opens: 17 November 2025
– Submission Deadline: 31 January 2026
– Notification of Acceptance: 1 April 2026
– Early bird Registration: To be announced
– Registration Deadline: 31 June 2026
– SIG18 conference: 9–11 September 2026

Prof. dr. Koen Aesaert

Koen Aesaert is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences (KU Leuven).

His keynote presentation will focus on “Distorted Mirrors – Bias in School Effect Estimates”.

Prof. dr. Anna-Katharina Praetorius

Anna-Katharina Praetorius is Professor for Research on Learning, Instruction, and Didactics at the University of Zurich (Switzerland).

Her keynote address has the following title: “Teaching Quality Research as a Balancing Act: Bringing Together Theory, Empirical Evidence, and Practice”.

Prof. dr. Amanda Datnow

Amanda Datnow is Professor and Chancellor’s Associates Endowed Chair in the Department of Education Studies and Associate Dean of Social Sciences at the University of California, San Diego.

Her keynote presentation will focus on “Balancing Power and Voice in Research-Practice Partnerships”.

The conference will take place at the building I in Etterbeek Campus of Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). The full address is: Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium