School of Applied Linguistics

ICLHE Symposium 2026

Engaged Pedagogies for the Multilingual University: Empowering Learners through Integrating Content and Language in Higher Education (ICLHE).

The 2026 Integrating Content and Language in Higher Education Symposium will be held at ZHAW (Switzerland) on 14–16 October 2026. The symposium welcomes an international audience and is designed to foster exchange and collaboration beyond national contexts. It is dedicated to the evolving role of Integrating Content and Language in Higher Education (ICLHE) in fostering student-centered pedagogies that emphasise active, collaborative, and inquiry-based learning. The symposium also foregrounds the growing importance of empathy and relational engagement in higher education, exploring how ICLHE can support inclusive, supportive environments that enhance student well-being, autonomy, and deep learning.

Keynote Speakers

Iris Schaller-Schwaner, University of Fribourg (Switzerland)

Iris Schaller-Schwaner has been a lecturer at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, for twenty-five years teaching English as content across a range of teacher education programmes as well as English for specific academic purposes with a focus on oral and literacy skills development for participants (students and staff) from across the university. 

Her research focuses on English as a lingua franca in bi- and multilingual academic settings and on English for Academic Purposes for multilingual settings.

Håkan Löfgren, Linköping University (Sweden)

Håkan Löfgren is a Senior Associate Professor in Education at the Linköping University, Sweden. Through extensive empirical work on assessment, preschool practices and teachers’ narratives, he investigates how care, emotions and relational practice shape learning environments and professional identities. 

Rooted in narrative and ethnographic methods, his research on pedagogies of care highlights everyday encounters in school and early childhood settings, pupils’ and teachers’ emotional experiences of assessment, and how policy and documentation influence caring practices. His work bridges theoretical rigor and practical relevance, offering insights for teaching, leadership and inclusive learning environments.

Programme

Please note that the preliminary programme below is subject to changes. More details will follow shortly.

14.10.2026

When What
16:30–19:00 Welcome Reception and Registration

15.10.2026

When What
09:30–10:00 Welcome and Introduction
10:00–11:00 Keynote 1: Håkan Löfgren
(Lingköpings University, Sweden)
11:00–11:30 Coffee Break
11:30–13:00 Conference Papers
13:00–14:00 Lunch Buffet
14:00–14:30 Poster Session
14:30–16:00 Experience Reports
16:00–16:30 Coffee Break
16:30–17:30 Roundtables / Panels / Workshops
17:30–18:30 Roundtable of ICLHE Regional Groups and Special Interest Groups
Launch of RG Latin America and Turkic Group
From 19:30 Symposium Dinner

16.10.2026

When What
09:30–10:30 Keynote 2: Iris Schaller-Schwaner
(University of Fribourg, Switzerland)
11:00–12:30 Conference Papers
13:00–14:30 Brown Bag Lunch // ICLHE AGM
14:30–15:30 10 Years ICLHE: Reflections & Outlook
14:30–16:00 Conference Papers
15:30–16:30 Coffee Break and Closing Ceremony
17:00–19:00 Social Activity
20:00 Board Dinner

Call for Papers

The period for submitting proposals ended on 15 February 2026. Thank you for your contributions. 

Deadline for speakers to register: 15 September 2026

If you have any questions regarding your submission, please contact iclhe.linguistik@zhaw.ch.

Call for Papers, ICLHE Symposium 2026 (PDF 165 kB)

ECR Symposium Grant

To support early career researchers (= students and post-docs up to 5 years after having received their PhD), the ICLHE Association will award “ECR ICLHE 2026 Symposium Grants”. The grant covers the conference fee (transferred to you after the conference) AND one annual ICLHE membership (starting either right away or when your present membership expires). A selection committee will select our awardees on the basis of the quality of their abstract (research focus/question, research methodology & embedding in the literature, findings). Note that you can only apply for this grant after your conference abstract has been accepted by the conference organisers. If you are an early career researcher whose abstract has been accepted and you would like to be considered for this grant, please send your PhD certificate (with date) and your accepted abstract(s) by June 20th to a.schueppert@rug.nl. We will get back to all applicants in July.

Registration

Registration is now open!

Please add any additional information you may need stated in your invoice (e.g. project numbers, University IDs, etc. to apply for internal funding) in the field for “company” next to your affiliation. 

Payment can be made by credit card, TWINT, or Postfinance Pay. We do not offer manual invoicing and bank transfers. 

To profit from reduced fees for ICLHE members, you need to become an ICLHE member first. We may perform a membership check after registration.

Register now!

­
Category Early Bird (in CHF) Regular (in CHF)
ICLHE Member 160 207
Standard 195 240
Student ICLHE Member 80 115
Student Standard 115 150
Online Attendance ICLHE Member N/A 35
Online Attendance Standard N/A 58

About ICLHE

In the ICLHE Association, expertise, networking, and resources converge to elevate the integration of content and language in higher education. ICLHE Association’s mission is to cultivate a vibrant exchange of opinions, experiences, initiatives, and cutting-edge research at the intersection of content and language in higher education.

The ICLHE Association organises international conferences on themes related to the integration of content and language in higher education. ICLHE also holds smaller symposia in the inter-conference years.

See https://iclhe.org for further details.

Partners

The Swiss Global Competence Lab (SGCL) is a transdisciplinary consortium dedicated to advancing internationalization in higher education. Bringing together experts from four institutional members (ZHAW, BFH, SUPSI, and HES-SO) the SGCL fosters collaboration, research, and innovative practices across Switzerland’s diverse higher education landscape. The consortium has successfully partnered on a range of joint projects and initiatives that address timely issues in international higher education.

See https://swissglobalcompetencelab.ch for further details.

Venue and Travel Information

The ICLHE symposium 2026 will be hosted by the School of Applied Linguistics, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Switzerland.

Address: Theaterstrasse 15c, 8401 Winterthur

For more information on the venue, accommodation, and travel information, please visit the following website:

Venue and travel information | ZHAW Applied Linguistics

Accommodation

Beware of fraudulent phishing emails and scams targeting conference attendees; we are not working with any travel agencies in connection with the conference. Only book accommodation through trusted platforms and do not disclose personal information in response to unsolicited emails.

Hotels listed under Venue and Travel Information include a range of accommodation options within walking distance of the School of Applied Linguistics, covering different price categories.

In addition, further hotels offering budget‑friendly accommodation are listed below. These options are located at a short travel distance from the venue, some requiring travel by public transportation. Please note that public transport costs may add to the overall accommodation expenses.