
October 21rd-22th, 2026 - Tishk International University, Erbil, Iraq
The 2026 Visible Conference on Educational Studies and Applied Linguistics (VESAL) embraces the theme “Education in a Changing World: Balancing Culture, Equity, and Transformative and Emerging Literacies.” This theme aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals—especially SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
We gather scholars, practitioners, and leaders committed to reimagining education for dynamic global realities. We support culturally rooted and community-responsive learning. We champion equitable systems that bridge opportunity gaps and prioritize access for all learners. We recognize emerging literacies—from digital and AI fluency to environmental and global citizenship skills—as essential competencies for a just and sustainable future.
Our theme celebrates cultural diversity while strengthening inclusive practices. It prepares learners to thrive in fast-evolving ecosystems. It fosters collaborative partnerships that empower resilient educational landscapes.
Join us. Be part of building empowered, culturally conscious, innovative learning societies. Together, we cultivate transformative literacies that uplift communities and advance equity in a world in motion.
Scroll down to explore VESAL 2026—where tradition, innovation, and global futures meet.
On behalf of the organizing committee, we are honored to welcome you to the 15th VESAL Conference, to be held 21–22 October 2026 at the Faculty of Education, Tishk International University, Erbil, Iraq. International academic gatherings remain essential. They allow scholars to present new research, test ideas, and engage in rigorous debate. Consistent with this mission, the Faculty of Education at Tishk International University advances international exchange, fosters intercultural understanding, supports interdisciplinary dialogue, and promotes the creation and dissemination of knowledge. We invite you to participate actively, to build scholarly networks, and to pursue collaborations that generate meaningful impact. With this spirit of collegiality and international cooperation, we extend our warmest regards and look forward to welcoming you to Erbil.
Dr. Venera Ulker
Chair of the VESAL Conference
Tishk International University organizes an annual conference on Educational Sciences to advance equitable access to knowledge and information. The VESAL Conference brings together researchers, practitioners, educators, and scholars from all levels and domains of teaching worldwide. We warmly invite international and local participants— including in-service teachers and teacher candidates— to join us in Erbil, Iraq.
VESAL 2026 aims to enhance the region’s educational ecosystem by facilitating exchanges with leading international experts and researchers, and by fostering sustained collaboration among stakeholders.
The 2026 VESAL Conference welcomes scholarship in educational studies, language teaching, and language education in the broadest sense. In addition, the conference embraces research and critical inquiry in English literature and literature in English, recognizing the role of literary studies in shaping cultural awareness, identity, and global understanding.
Submissions may address the contemporary interplay between tradition and innovation, local and global influences, progressive and conservative perspectives, stability and disruption, and national and global identities as they shape educational theory, policy, practice, and literary discourse. We anticipate strong participation from leading academics, education professionals, literary scholars, and policymakers working across these domains.
Alongside this broad scope, VESAL 2026 places special emphasis on the theme of culture, equity, and new literacies—with particular attention to developing transformative literacies for an AI-shaped future.
| Time | Descrioption |
| 1-May-2026 | Full Manuscript Submission Deadline |
| 1-September-26 | Review Results |
| 20-September-26 | Camera-Ready Manuscript Deadline |
| 1-October-26 | Notification of Acceptance/Rejection |
| 23-24-October-26 | VESAL 2026 Conference Dates. |
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