EDST Research Day showcases the rich educational research, practice, and theory developed by the department’s students and faculty. We welcome work in diverse subjects, and in all phases of development, including projects that come out of coursework, research conducted as Research Assistants or Principal Investigators, thesis sections, or papers in progress. Presenters are encouraged to try out ideas to be developed for a forthcoming conference.

Theme: Toxicity in Education

Education may be vital for the development and functioning of human society, but it can also be a site of harm. Toxicity can undermine healthy learning environments for both educators and learners through inequitable policies, excessive competition, biased curricula, or power dynamics that silence or marginalise certain groups. Toxicity may also manifest in burnout culture, punitive disciplinary practices, or interactions that create fear, stress, or exclusion for students or educators. Examining this concept involves questioning how educational systems can perpetuate harm and how these environments might instead promote wellbeing, equity, and meaningful learning. Understanding toxicity helps guide efforts toward creating more supportive, just, and transformative educational spaces.

The theme invites critical reflection on harmful dynamics that shape educational spaces, practices, and relationships. It encourages presenters to explore how toxicity emerges through systemic inequities, policies, power relations, or everyday interactions within schools and universities. By examining these issues, the theme aims to spark meaningful dialogue about the ways educational environments can perpetuate stress, exclusion, or injustice, and how they might instead become more supportive, inclusive, and transformative.

Submissions

The programme committee for EDST Research Day 2026 invites proposals for individual presentations, poster sessions, roundtable, and panel sessions, and more from students. All students are welcome – PhD, EdD, MA, and Med.

The submission deadline is: 28^th February 2026.

We are interested in receiving proposals for talks on any subject within this theme which can start, or contribute to, discussions on the field of education.

While the theme raises important questions, applicants should not feel limited to address the theme only. We, thus, also invite proposals on other education-related topics.

Faculty members are invited to take an active role in encouraging their students to submit their work to Research Day, as well as to provide support to students wishing to present.

Types of Presentations

Individual Presentations

Traditional and alternative presentations are welcome!

Suggestions include:

Paper Presentation (up to 20-minute talk and 10-minute Q&A)
Short Presentation (up to 7-minute talk and 5-minute Q&A)
Ignite (20 slides in 5 minutes, each slide advancing automatically after 15 seconds and 5-minute Q&A)
Art/Performance
Film Presentation (up to 20 minutes)
Poster Presentations

Roundtable and Panel Sessions

Roundtable and panel sessions will run 75 minutes each. Formats available are:

Panel Discussion
- 2-4 panelists discussing a topic in front of the audience; includes a Q&A and discussion session
Roundtable Discussion
- A discussion on a topic in a roundtable format with equal participation from all participants
Book Session
- A presentation of a new book, followed by a Q&A session
Scholars’ Café
- Informal session that showcases the most exciting and unique research done at EDST

How to Apply

Proposal Requirements

Individual presentation proposals should include:

Presenter’s name, department, and programme
Type of presentation
Full title of the proposed presentation
150–200-word abstract or description of the presentation

Panel/Roundtable discussions proposals should include:

Facilitator’s name, department, and programme
Type of session
Full title of the proposal
Brief summary of activities planned for your session and key participants’ names, with a 150-200 word abstract for each speaker

Please submit your completed proposals (by 28^th February) here: https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8e43sI2HMvfezsy

Further Information & Questions

Want to present but not sure how to prepare? Your SSLs are here and would love to sit with you to discuss your proposal ideas and helping you prepare!

We will continue updating details on the conference website: https://edst.educ.ubc.ca/researchday/.

Stay tuned.

We look forward to your contributions towards making the Research Day one of the most significant events of the department.