2nd SEL Biennial International Conference 2026
Digitalization, Sustainability, and Equity in Policy and Practice
Important Dates
About the Conference
The Ghanaian and global educational landscape has evolved significantly since the inaugural SEL Biennial International Conference in 2024. This evolution continues to be shaped by persistent and emerging challenges, including youth unemployment, climate change, migration, financing constraints, sustainability and widening inequalities.
In Ghana, major educational reforms and initiatives—including the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy, the expansion of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and ongoing digitalisation efforts—continue to reshape the education sector. While these developments are contributing to expanded access and greater equity, they also raise critical questions about quality, inclusiveness, financing, implementation and long-term sustainability.
Globally, rapid advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital learning platforms and data-driven education are transforming teaching, learning, assessment and educational administration. At the same time, climate change, migration, youth unemployment and inequality continue to redefine the role of education as a driver of social and economic transformation.
Against this backdrop, the 2nd Biennial International Conference of the School of Education and Leadership (SEL), College of Education, University of Ghana, provides a timely platform to critically examine these developments, share research and innovative practices, explore transformative strategies and strengthen partnerships for impactful, inclusive, equitable and sustainable educational policy and practice.
Conference Objectives
The conference seeks to:
- Critically assess recent educational reforms in Ghana, including Free SHS, TVET expansion and digital learning initiatives.
- Explore how digitalisation, Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies can advance inclusive, equitable and quality education.
- Examine the role of education in responding to climate change, sustainability, migration, youth unemployment and other emerging challenges.
- Promote knowledge exchange among policymakers, researchers, educators, practitioners, development partners and industry stakeholders.
- Generate evidence-informed recommendations to strengthen educational policy and practice in Ghana, Africa and beyond.
Call for Abstracts
Scholars, researchers, policymakers, practitioners, postgraduate students, development partners and education stakeholders are invited to submit abstracts addressing the conference theme and related sub-themes.
Abstracts should be 250–300 words and clearly state the purpose, methodology, key findings or expected findings, and implications of the work.
Submission Deadline: 25 September 2026
Submit to: bicsel@ug.edu.gh
Conference Sub-Themes
The conference welcomes research, practice and policy contributions across the following thematic areas.
Education Reform and Policy in Ghana
Free SHS, TVET, governance, access, quality, inclusion and educational outcomes.
Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence in Education
AI, EdTech, digital learning, assessment, educational data, ethics, opportunities and risks.
Teacher Education and Professional Development
Teacher preparation, pedagogical innovation, competencies and continuing professional development.
Education for Sustainability
Climate change education, environmental literacy, green skills, sustainable development and global citizenship.
Equity and Inclusion
Gender, disability, inequality, rural–urban disparities and inclusive educational systems.
Education and the Future of Work
Youth employability, entrepreneurship, workforce skills, TVET and lifelong learning.
Partnerships and Financing for Education
Sustainable financing, partnerships, resource mobilisation, governance and institutional resilience.
Join Us at BICSEL 2026
Join scholars, policymakers, practitioners, education leaders, postgraduate students and development partners for two days of research exchange, policy dialogue, networking and collaboration.
In-person and virtual participation options will be available.
Conference Experience
BICSEL 2026 will feature:
- Keynote Addresses
- Plenary Sessions
- Oral Presentations
- Poster Presentations
- Panel Discussions
- Networking Opportunities
Venue
University of Ghana
Legon, Accra, Ghana
The conference will combine in-person participation with online access for remote and international delegates.
Conference Enquiries
Conference Secretariat
School of Education and Leadership
College of Education
University of Ghana