Registration now open
Registration for the conference is now open. Early bird rates are available until 5 April 2026, offering participants an affordable opportunity to secure their place at this Nordic event. The conference gathers vocational and higher education professionals from across countries to discuss the future of learning.
More than 100 abstracts reflect strong interest
The conference has attracted significant attention, with over one hundred abstracts submitted.
“A high number of proposals shows strong interest in sharing research and development work on immersive and work‑based learning. Participants can look forward to a diverse and timely programme that reflects the rapid development of the field and current research questions,” says Sirpa Laitinen‑Väänänen, Principal Researcher at Jamk and member of the organising committee.
A diverse programme and distinguished keynote speakers
The conference programme consists of keynote lectures, workshops, research presentations, and networking opportunities. Keynote speakers include:
- Professor Stephen Billett (Griffith University, Australia), who will discuss the development of practical learning and its relevance to professional competence.
- Professor Hannu L. T. Heikkinen (University of Jyväskylä, Finland), who explores the role of vocational education in a complex world, particularly from the perspectives of social and ecological sustainability.
- Professor Marianne Teräs (Stockholm University, Sweden), who highlights how changes in working life and learning contribute to building a sustainable future.
NordYrk 2026 provides an opportunity to engage with current research and development themes and to strengthen expertise in work‑based and immersive learning practices. “At the same time, participants can network with Nordic and international experts and contribute to the development of vocational education,” Laitinen‑Väänänen adds.
The conference is organised in collaboration with Jamk University of Applied Sciences and the University of Jyväskylä.
