TURN Conference 2026: Call for Participation Open Until 28 February
With a focus on the theme of »Experiential Turn – Erfahrungsräume für zukunftsfähiges Lernen« (experiential turn – experiential spaces for future-proof learning), the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar is inviting you to this year’s TURN Conference: On 24 and 25 September, everything will be evolving around »Experiential Learning«. This term refers to a sustainable learning process though which knowledge is gained from concrete experiences. These experiences are then reflected upon, theoretically conceptualised, and further developed through repeated experimentation. Experiential learning influences not only the learning process, but also how knowledge is generated and insights are produced. Those interested can submit contributions until 28 February 2026.
The TURN Conference, which is expected to attract nearly 300 participants, is sponsored by the »Stiftung Innovation in der Hochschullehre«.
University instructors, students, staff from the fields of didactics and teaching support, university management, as well as partners from the community and industry are invited to attend.
Joint submissions are especially encouraged: This includes submissions from instructors and students from different disciplines, or internal and external partners share their experiences together.
What topics is the conference looking for?
The conference is divided into four themes:
Track 1: Hands on, Minds on – Practical Formats for Experiential Learning and Teaching
This theme focusses on teaching formats that combine practical action with reflection. Examples include project-based learning, simulation games, and »Reallabore«.
Track 2: Students as Co-Creators in Teaching – Models, Experiences, Challenges
How can students not only participate, but actively co-create? From planning modules to co-teaching to getting involves with university committees.
Track 3: Individual and Competent – Independently Designing Learning Biographies and Experiences
How can academic excellence be reconciled with individual learning approaches? What freedoms do students with different life circumstances require?
Track 4: Designing Learning Spaces – Experiential Learning on Campus, in the City, and in the Digital World
Learning doesn’t just happen in lecture halls. This theme examines physical, digital, and hybrid learning spaces on campus, in the city, and in international collaborations.
What formats are allowed?
Contributions can be submitted in the following formats:
Flash Input: Short presentation followed by a Q&A session
Workshop: Interactive and practice-oriented group work
Skill Share: Sharing practical experiences and learning tools
Experiential Showcase: Bringing learning to life through educational games, apps, learning spaces, and more
Poster Session: Poster walk with 60-second poster pitches
Collegial Case Consultation: Structured consultation on concrete practical challenges
Practical Discourse: Participatory, practical exchange based on one or two specific case studies
For Students Only – Unrestricted Submission Formats: Submit an idea and collaborate with the TURN Conference 2026 organisation team
Why participate?
The TURN 2026 is a learning journey that allows participants to explore introductory experiential learning scenarios in a hands-on way, test out transfer strategies for their own teaching, and open up to new perspectives. Teachers become students and vice-versa. Participants also have the opportunity to network with other universities and external partners and to learn about new formats in various learning environments.
Why Weimar?
The TURN Conference takes place every year in a different location in order to develop higher education through new perspectives. At the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, the focus is on experiential learning. This is integrated in many of the University’s degree programmes in the form of project- and problem-based learning. TURN 2026 is intended to continue strengthening experience exchanges, to learn from one another, and to foster experiential learning.
How can I participate?
Those interested can submit contributions until 28 February 2026. Information on the submission process, formats, and selection criteria can be found on the TURN Conference Call for Participation website: http://www.turn-conference.org/call
In order to better address the student target group, there is also a Call for STUDENT Participation.
Contact and Further Information
Bauhaus-Universität Weimar
TURN Conference 2026 Organisation Team
turn26[at]uni-weimar.de
www.turn-conference.org