Conference Agenda
Overview and details of the sessions of this conference. Please select a date or location to show only sessions at that day or location. Please select a single session for detailed view (with abstracts and downloads if available).
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Daily Overview |
| Date: Thursday, 08/Oct/2026 | |
| 8:30am - 9:00am | Welcome & Opening (Day 2): Welcome and Opening of Day 2 – Full-Day Conference Programme Location: F21/01.57 Day 2 begins with a brief welcome and an overview of the programme for the day. Participants can look forward to a full schedule of keynote presentations, parallel sessions, workshops, and discussions. Lunch and coffee breaks throughout the day provide opportunities to network, exchange ideas, and continue conversations with colleagues. |
| 9:00am - 10:30am | II. Session 1 · Track A: Designing Service-Learning for Democratic Competences Location: F21/02.18 |
| 9:00am - 10:30am | II. Session 2 · Track A: Democratic belonging and competence development through civic engagement Location: F21/02.31 |
| 9:00am - 10:30am | II. Session 3 · Track B: European Alliances and Cross-Institutional Networks for Service-Learning Location: F21/02.41 |
| 9:00am - 10:30am | II. Session 4 · Track B/C: Advancing Democratic Higher Education through Service-Learning Location: F21/02.55 |
| 10:30am - 10:45am | Short Networking Break: Short Refreshment Break and Networking Opportunity Location: F21/01.57 Take a short break to exchange ideas, meet fellow participants, and continue conversations in an informal setting while enjoying refreshments. |
| 10:45am - 12:15pm | Workshop 10 / Track B: Building Community-Engaged Higher Education in Global Contexts Location: F21/03.83 |
| 10:45am - 12:15pm | Workshop 6 / Track A: Purpose, Agency, and Navigating Uncertainty in Service-Learning Practice Location: F21/02.18 |
| 10:45am - 12:15pm | Workshop 7 / Track B: Shared Commons and the Viability of Engaged Research Platforms Location: F21/02.31 |
| 10:45am - 12:15pm | Workshop 8 / Track C: Transformative Goals and Inner Development for Service-Learning Location: F21/02.41 |
| 10:45am - 12:15pm | Workshop 9 / Track C: Reimagining Academic Roles and Responsibilities in a Changing Society Location: F21/02.55 |
| 12:15pm - 1:30pm | Lunch & Poster Session: Lunch Break with Poster Presentations and Networking (15) Location: F21/01.57 Enjoy lunch while exploring the poster presentations and engaging in conversations with presenters and fellow participants. This session provides an opportunity to discover ongoing projects, exchange ideas, and discuss research and practice-based experiences in an informal setting. Participants are invited to take their time to visit the posters and connect with the service-learning community. |
| 1:30pm - 2:30pm | 2nd keynote: C.Heckmann, H.Horz: Educating Future Teachers as Democratic Change Agents: Service-Learning, Democratic Resilience, and the Challenge of Evidence Location: F21/01.57 Prof. Dr. Holger Horz is Professor of Educational Psychology at Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany, where he heads the Department of Teaching and Learning in Adulthood. He also serves as Executive Director of the Academy for Educational Research and Teacher Training and the Interdisciplinary College for University Teaching. His current work examines how digital technologies and artificial intelligence transform learning, teaching, and professional judgement, and how authentic learning environments such as service-learning can foster scientific, professional, and civic competencies. In general, his research up to now focuses on the use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in education, higher education and teacher education, as well as service-learning and the development of professional competencies. He has coordinated numerous interdisciplinary and externally funded research projects that combine educational psychology with innovative approaches to teaching and learning.
Dr. Carmen Heckmann is a Postdoctoral Researcher in Educational Psychology and Operational Director of the Interdisciplinary College for University Teaching at Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany. Her research and teaching focus on higher education, teacher education, service-learning, and community-engaged learning. She designs and evaluates innovative educational approaches that connect academic learning with societal engagement and professional development. Her current work particularly addresses democracy education, scientific literacy, and science communication in teacher education and psychology. She is involved in several externally funded projects that investigate how higher education and AI promote democratic values and evidence-informed thinking. She is an active member of the German Psychological Society (DGPs), and the German Service-Learning in Higher Education Network (Hochschulnetzwerk Bildung durch Verantwortung e.V.). |
| 2:45pm - 4:15pm | III. Session 1 · Track A: Service-Learning with Marginalised and Migrant Communities Location: F21/02.18 |
| 2:45pm - 4:15pm | III. Session 2 · Track A: Reflection as a Pedagogical Device in Service-Learning Location: F21/02.31 |
| 2:45pm - 4:15pm | III. Session 3 · Track B: University–Community Partnerships and Societal Engagement Location: F21/02.41 |
| 2:45pm - 4:15pm | III. Session 4 · Track C: Epistemic Justice, Diversity and Cultural Sensitivity in Service-Learning Location: F21/02.55 |
| 2:45pm - 4:15pm | III. Session 5 · Track B: PANEL DISCUSSION - ACCREDITATION IN TRANSITION: RECOGNISING SERVICE-LEARNING AND SOCIETAL COMPETENCES IN EUROPEAN HIGHER EDUCATION Location: F21/01.57 Accreditation is no longer only about academic rigor and compliance with formal standards. Modern study programmes are increasingly expected to foster societal responsibility alongside academic excellence. If higher education is to prepare graduates to contribute to democracy, uphold shared European values, engage as active citizens, and address complex societal challenges, accreditation and quality assurance standards must explicitly recognise and encourage these dimensions of learning. Service-Learning and related pedagogical approaches effectively bridge theory and practice by connecting students with communities and complex societal challenges. But how are these contributions recognised within European accreditation frameworks? Can quality assurance and accreditation processes actively encourage educational innovation? Or do existing criteria still privilege more traditional academic models? This panel explores how accreditation and the broader role of quality assurance agencies can support transformative education. Building on recent European developments, including the criteria for the European Joint Degree Label, it examines how quality assurance standards can enable—rather than constrain—the recognition and promotion of meaningful learning experiences that foster civic engagement, active citizenship, democratic culture, and societal impact. This contributes to the joint work of the Policy-Making and Networks & Alliances EASLHE Working Groups by fostering dialogue on how European quality frameworks can better recognise Service-Learning and other forms of societal engagement as integral dimensions of educational quality. Panelists:
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| 4:15pm - 4:30pm | Short Coffee Break: Coffee Break and Networking Location: F21/01.57 Take a short break to enjoy refreshments and connect with fellow participants. The coffee break offers an opportunity to continue discussions, exchange ideas, and prepare for the next conference sessions in an informal setting. |
| 4:30pm - 6:00pm | IV. Session 1 · Track A: Service-Learning in Teacher Education Location: F21/02.18 |
| 4:30pm - 6:00pm | IV. Session 2 · Track A: Civic and Political Engagement: Participation and Voice Location: F21/02.31 |
| 4:30pm - 6:00pm | IV. Session 3 · Track B: Institutionalisation in Global and Conflict Contexts Location: F21/02.41 |
| 4:30pm - 6:00pm | IV. Session 4 · Track C: Digital and Reflective Approaches to Service Learning in Higher Education Location: F21/02.55 |
| 6:00pm - 6:30pm | EASLHE General Assembly: EASLHE General Assembly – Open to All Conference Participants Location: F21/01.57 The EASLHE General Assembly provides an opportunity to learn more about the European Association for Service-Learning in Higher Education, its activities, ongoing initiatives, and future plans. Members will participate in the official General Assembly, while all conference participants who are interested in the association and its work are warmly invited to attend and gain insights into the EASLHE community. |
| 6:30pm - 7:30pm | Guided city tour: Guided City Tour through Historic Bamberg Discover the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bamberg during a guided walking tour. Explore the city’s rich history, cultural highlights, and unique architecture while learning more about its traditions and heritage. The tour offers a relaxed opportunity to experience Bamberg together with fellow conference participants and to enjoy the atmosphere of this historic city. |
| 7:30pm - 10:00pm | Conference Dinner at Luitpold: https://www.uni-bamberg.de/wipaed/9th-european-conference-on-service-learning-in-higher-education/conference-dinner/ Conference Dinner at Luitpold Bamberg (Cafe Luitpold | Boulevard Cafe & Restaurant | Bamberg) An elegant evening of Franconian hospitality awaits. Enjoy a rich Franconian buffet featuring regional specialties, with dedicated selections for fish lovers and vegetarian guests. 🍺 Traditional Bockbier Tapping Ceremony €47 per person Additional drinks are charged individually. Registration is required for participation |
