Call for Abstracts
The WIL Australia Conference 2026 invites submissions that showcase how WIL is making a tangible impact on students, industry partners, institutions, and communities — now and into the future. We welcome submissions that share proven impact, work-in-progress innovations and evidence-based insights, especially where practice is inclusive and scalable.
Submissions can take the form of research presentations, case studies, panel discussions, workshops, or innovative formats. Contributions are encouraged under the following sub-themes:
Designing Scalable and Sustainable WIL Models
Demonstrating scalable approaches that are delivering real-world outcomes for students, institutions, and partners – with quality and equity embedded from the outset.
- Case studies of quality WIL models that have scaled and delivered measurable impact
- Micro-WIL and short placements: supporting equitable student access and wellbeing
- Multidisciplinary and cross-institutional sustainable WIL models
- Promoting evidence-based, scalable, and sustainable WIL practices
- Innovations in WIL delivery and student support
- Scalable WIL curriculum to enhance student engagement, mobility, and wellbeing
Partnering for Impact: Collaborating with Purpose
Showcasing industry, community, and cross-sector partnerships that are creating tangible benefits for students, employers, and communities and society.
- Partner co-designed WIL programs leading to employment or social impact
- Community and industry engagement models with sustained outcomes
- Strengthening workplace supervisor capability, collaboration, and quality
- Strategic partnerships for innovative, equitable, and ethical WIL environments
- Digital and regional partnerships that increase participation and reach
- Impact of current, purposeful co-designed WIL curriculum with industry stakeholders
Mobilising Students for Lifelong Learning and Career Development
How WIL contributes to real-world mobility: skill application, employment pathways, and self-efficacy. Innovations in pedagogy, technology, and program design that enhance student agency, skill mobility, and career pathways.
- Innovative WIL pedagogies enhancing career pathways
- Impact of WIL on graduate employability and mobility
- Develop inclusive WIL through long-term partnership and advocacy
- Promote Indigenous knowledge, perspectives, and leadership in WIL curriculum
- Career development learning embedded in WIL with visible and measurable outcomes
- Successful international and remote student WIL experiences
- WIL experiences fostering agency, entrepreneurship, or innovation
- Use of AI in WIL curriculum for life-long learning and sustainability
Enhancing Quality, Inclusion and Innovation through Evidence-Based Practice
Practice-informed approaches that are delivering measurable improvements to WIL quality, outcomes, access, and design, while advancing access and inclusion for diverse cohorts.
- Evaluation-led improvements to WIL curriculum design and delivery
- Inclusive strategies and/or practices with demonstrated student and partner impact
- Developing and managing the risks associated with technology-enhanced authentic WIL experiences
- Research-informed governance and curriculum changes for improved quality
- Successful capability building for WIL leaders, staff, and supervisors
- WIL Communities of Practice impacting evidence-based practice
- Inclusive practices that support safety and well-being
- The impact of Commonwealth Prac Payment Scheme
You may be the lead on ONE presentation only, regardless of the presentation type. Presentations that involve joint authorship with students, industry and community partners are encouraged. Early career researchers and research students are also encouraged to contribute abstracts.
The abstract maximum word count is 250 words. You should also advise separately how your abstract aligns to the conference theme (an additional max. 100 words).
For Roundtable Discussions, please also describe the key take-aways for participants (max. 100 words).
For Panel Discussions, please provide panellist names and affiliations (max 5 panellists) and advise if you require 20 or 40 mins.
Abstract Submissions – Staged approach to WIL Australia Conference 2026
To create a balanced and dynamic program, abstract submissions will be reviewed and accepted in stages rather than on a rolling basis. This approach aims to encourage early submissions while also leaving room for later contributions of high quality and relevance.
Stage 1 deadline: 30 November 2025 (closed)
Stage 2 deadline: 30 March 2026 (closed)
Stage 3 deadline: 30 May 2026 (closed)
Submitting early increases your chance of securing a presentation slot. If your submission is not confirmed in the first batch, it will automatically be considered in subsequent rounds.
We welcome strong proposals at every stage of the process and look forward to showcasing diverse perspectives across the conference theme.
Presentation Types
Showcase Presentation
The aim of these sessions is to engage your audience and showcase something that you do or have found that could be interesting to other people in the field.
TIME: 20 mins
TIP: Try to focus on a few key points in depth, rather than present many large and/or complex ideas at once
Roundtable Discussion
The aim of these sessions is to inform your audience and help them develop some new ideas or play with a concept. In a roundtable there is more room for complex ideas and making connections between them is this format.
TIME: 40 mins
TIP: Participants should leave your session with some key take-away. You might consider a workshop style exercise, break out groups or some other means of using prompts and activities to achieve this.
Panel Discussion
The aim of these sessions is to stimulate conversation. It is a chance to explore a key topic or conference theme in an informal discussion. You might use a panel format with multiple guest/expert speakers, or a single speaker to open a conversation with the audience.
TIME: 20 or 40 mins
TIP: What hot topic do you want to explore that you think people want to talk about?
Pecha Kucha
The aim of these sessions is to provide a quick summary of an idea or an innovation. The presentation is short and sharp. Typically, a Pecha Kucha is no more than 20 seconds per slide x 15 slides.
TIME: 5 mins
TIP: Short, sharp and engaging.
Poster
A poster is a great way to engage the audience over the various breaks during the conference. This is a way of sharing your ideas/research/innovations without having to take the stage and speak in front of others; they could also be a great conversation starter.
TIME: Discuss during poster session
TIP: Try to convey your research and/or innovations in an eye-catching and informative style.
Abstract Writing Information Session
Missed the live session or want to revisit the advice? Watch this information session on preparing an abstract for the WIL Australia Conference.
Designed for both experienced researchers and those new to the field, this session offers practical guidance on developing a strong submission aligned with the conference theme.
In this session, you’ll learn:
• how to write an effective abstract within the word limit
• how to align your submission with the conference theme
• guidelines for roundtable and panel submissions
• opportunities for collaboration with students, industry and community partners
• key submission deadlines and requirements
Watch the recording to strengthen your submission and maximise your impact at the conference.
Important Dates
Abstract Submissions Close
30 May 2026
Abstract Notifications Issued
30 June 2026
Speaker Registration Deadline
30 July 2026
Enquiries
For questions relating to abstract content, please contact Wayne Read.
Having issues with the submission process? Contact Julie Jerbic.