Call for Papers: LIKE Conference 2026

LIKE invites abstract submissions for its 2026 International Conference on Valuing Children’s Aspirations and Well-being: Promoting Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) In and Through Education. The deadline for submissions is 30 June 2026.

The Learning, Innovation and Knowledge Exchange (LIKE) lab at Kathmandu University School of Arts will host its 2026 International Conference in Nepal this September. Supported by the Global Partnership for Education Knowledge and Innovation Exchange (GPE KIX) and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the conference brings together researchers, policymakers, and development practitioners to explore how education systems can better reflect and respond to the aspirations and well-being of every child.

The conference is held under the theme Valuing Children’s Aspirations and Well-being: Promoting Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) In and Through Education. Sessions will span eight thematic areas – among them children’s well-being, GEDSI dynamics, the capability approach, AI and digital frontiers in education, impact evaluation and scaling, and the relationship between global commitments and local realities – and will include keynote addresses, paper and poster presentations, and panel discussions.

Who can participate?
The conference welcomes contributions from researchers, policymakers, educators, civil society representatives, and development practitioners working across any of the conference’s thematic areas.

Submission
Abstracts of 250-300 words should be submitted in English and may be considered for oral or poster presentation. Student presenters are exempt from registration fees. Send your abstract like@kusoa.edu.np. Full submission and style guidelines are available at https://like.edu.np/like-conference-2026/.

Deadlines
Abstract submission deadline: 30 June 2026
Acceptance notification: 15 July 2026
Full paper submission: 15 August 2026