About this Event
EAP Practitioners’ Conference 2026
Theme: Rethinking EAP Professionalism
Saturday 27 June 2026 10.30am – 4pm | University of St Andrews |
Updated list of presenters and papers: St Andrews EAP Conference 2026 accepted papers.docx
The 15th annual EAP Practitioners’ Conference invites proposals for the 2026 event held at the University of St Andrews. The conference brings together colleagues working in English for Academic Purposes, academic literacies and internationalised higher education to share practice on professional experience and engage in discussion about developments in the field. Our keynote speaker, Dr Trevor Mahy, will discuss what EAP professionalism looks like from a large-scale transnational perspective where AI use by staff and students is strongly encouraged at the institutional level, but we intend the conference as a whole to look at professionalism across the board.
Theme
The theme Rethinking EAP Professionalism invites contributors to examine how EAP roles and identities are changing within higher education. Entry into EAP is increasingly non-linear with many practitioners moving between administrative roles, teaching, and academic literacy ‘support’ before developing a research or scholarship profile. These professional trajectories raise important questions about status and expectations for continuing professional development.
The theme also provides space to consider how EAP professionalism is shaped by institutional contexts and changing approaches to academic literacy teaching including the growing influence of digital tools. Contributions are welcomed that offer critical reflection, research-informed perspectives or examples of practice that explore how EAP professionalism is understood and enacted across different settings.
The conference welcomes contributions that engage with EAP professionalism from a range of perspectives. This may include work on practitioner identity and agency, professional pathways and transitions into scholarship or practitioner research. Submissions may also examine approaches to continuing professional development and the ways institutional structures support or constrain professional growth.
We also welcome contributions that consider EAP practice within internationalised higher education, including EMI and transnational contexts, and reflections on professional recognition and working conditions across regions. Papers addressing ethical questions in academic literacy teaching or exploring how digital practices are influencing EAP roles and professional identities are equally encouraged.
These areas are indicative rather than exhaustive and submissions that engage critically with related aspects of EAP professionalism are welcome.
Presentation Formats
• 20 minute presentations (followed by 10 mins discussion / question and answers)
• 45 minute roundtable sessions focused on discussion and exchange
The conference will offer online attendance to some sessions, but all presenters must be in person.
Submission Guidelines
Abstracts should be no more than 250 words and should include the title, presentation format, presenter names and affiliations.
Please submit proposals to [email protected]
Deadline
The submission deadline is 10 April 2026 at noon GMT. Abstracts will be reviewed on a rolling basis and early submission is encouraged for those wishing to confirm their place.
Registration
Online attendance (keynote and main room livestreamed, with ability to engage in Q&A) is £20. Standard in-person registration (attending or presenting) is £50.
We have reserved 10 discounted places for in-person presenters and attendees who do not receive any institutional funding for professional development.
Current St Andrews staff and students may attend free of charge when registering with their university account.
A basic lunch will be provided.
Enquiries
All enquiries should be directed to:[email protected]
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute, Kennedy Gardens, St Andrews, United Kingdom
GBP 0.00 to GBP 50.00
