Education Research Days 2026 HU Utrecht University of Applied Sciences
On 1, 2 and 3 July 2026, the largest education research conference in the Netherlands and Flanders will be held at Utrecht University of Applied Sciences. Hundreds of education researchers will examine the role of education in addressing the major social challenges we face.
We are in a time of transition, in which complex social issues are at play. Think of polarisation, climate change, labour market shortages, affordable healthcare and digitisation. This demands something from the education sector. How do we ensure that education provides children with a solid foundation for participating in society? How can we teach future professionals to develop, innovate and help build new solutions throughout their lives? Education is the means to make a positive contribution to the social challenges around us. The ORD 2026 will therefore focus on how education contributes to a society in transition.
Together
From early childhood and pre-school education to the learning of citizens and professionals: we need each other. With the help of education, learners themselves are also in transition. Learning, developing and innovating beyond the boundaries of their own beliefs, professions and domains – in order to achieve breakthroughs at those interfaces.
Cross-border learning also applies to educational researchers, who conduct research from different backgrounds and research approaches – explanatory, descriptive, predictive and design-oriented – and with the help of qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods. Only in this way can we understand and improve education in all its facets. At ORD 2026 at Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, we bring all these perspectives together.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Who is it for?
Anyone with an interest in educational research. The event will be conducted in Dutch.
About the ORD
Every year, the Education Research Days bring together hundreds of participants for three days of in-depth discussion and networking. The ORD offers an inspiring mix of presentations and sessions on current topics in education. Outside of the substantive programme, there is also plenty of opportunity to exchange ideas and make new connections. Previous editions took place at Tilburg University and KU Leuven. This is the first time that the ORD will be organised at a university of applied sciences.
Organisation
The ORD 2026 is being organised on behalf of and in consultation with the Association for Educational Research (VOR) by Utrecht University of Applied Sciences, Utrecht School of the Arts, Marnix Academy, MBO Amersfoort, MBO Utrecht, ROC Midden Nederland, UMC Utrecht, University of Humanistic Studies and Utrecht University in collaboration with the Flemish Forum for Educational Research.
More information
More information can be found on the special conference website onderwijsresearchdagen.nl.
From 26 November, you can view the invitation for substantive contributions on the website. Registration will be open from 4 December. There is also a library with contributions (presentations and papers) from previous editions.