We have put together a diverse congress program featuring contributions from scholars across all sections of GERA. The different formats place varying emphases: while symposia focus in particular on the congress theme of ruptures, research forums provide space for open discussion of current research projects.
An important part of the congress also includes GERA’s own events: on Monday, the section and commission meetings will take place, and on Wednesday, the General Assembly, to which all GERA members are warmly invited.
In addition, we are pleased to welcome the participation of associations and institutions relevant to educational science, which will present themselves and their work in dedicated program slots.
Further details on the individual program components can be found below. The complete program will be available from October 1, 2025, in ConfTool ↗ and in our program booklet ↗, and from February 1, 2026, also in our congress app.
Opening event
The 30th GERA Congress will officially begin on Monday, 23 March 2026 at 9:30 a.m. in the Great Hall (1st floor) of the LMU main building – a place with a special history and atmosphere. We are delighted to be able to hold the opening ceremony in this impressive hall.
In addition to welcoming remarks from the spokespersons of the Local Organising Committee, the Chairman of the GERA, Prof. Dr. Michael Schemmann, and the presidents of the three host universities, you can look forward to the keynote speech by Prof. Dr. Dirk Ifenthaler. Under the title ‘Fragile Foundations, Promising Algorithms,’ he will shed light on current challenges and perspectives in the context of education and digitalisation. Another highlight will be the presentation of the Ernst Christian Trapp Prize.
The event will be accompanied by music from the Munich Music School Ensemble.
The main building will be open from 8:30 a.m. – we cordially invite you to register at your leisure, enjoy a coffee and start the conference day with a pretzel.
Event Formats
Der Kongress bietet eine Vielzahl unterschiedlicher Formate, die Raum für Präsentation, Diskussion und Austausch schaffen. Im Folgenden stellen wir Ihnen diese kurz und knapp vor. Das gesamte Veranstaltungsprogramm finden Sie ab dem 01. Oktober 2025 in ConfTool (LINK).
Parallel lectures
On Monday and Wednesday, five parallel lectures will be held, each exploring the congress theme “Ruptures” from different educational science perspectives. An invitation to deliver a parallel lecture is a special honor – each individual may give such a lecture only once within the framework of GERA congresses. We are therefore very pleased to welcome the following speakers and their contributions:
Monday, March 23, 2026: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Dr. Stefanie Chye Yen Leng (Singapore University of Social Sciences) ↗
„Lifelong Learning, Lifelong Flourishing: Psychology, Pedagogy, and Technology in Educational Ecosystems“
Prof. Dr. Barbara Friebertshäuser (Goethe University Frankfurt) ↗
„Understanding breaks in life – methodological and educational challenges“
Prof. Dr. Ilka Koppel (University of Education Weingarten) ↗
„Disruptions as a challenge and opportunity for professionalisation in adult education“
Dr.in Veronika Kourabas (Hochschule Niederrhein) ↗
„Un_Gebrochenes Erleben – Thinking at the border about body, gender and dis/ability for educational science“
Prof. Dr. Eva Matthes (University of Augsburg) ↗
„(Ru)ptures in Educational Science in Past and Present – Selected Spotlights“
Wednesday, March 25, 2026: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Dr. Helge Kminek (Alpen-Adria-University of Klagenfurt) ↗
„Ruptures – Continuities – Unifications. Reflections on educational theory formation using the example of BNE“
Prof. Dr. Felicitas Macgilchrist (Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg) ↗
„Digital education: pedagogy between cyberlibertarianism and radical democracy“
Prof. Dr. Martina Richter (University of Duisburg-Essen) ↗
„The fragility of family life: the struggle for privacy“
Prof. Dr. Tanja Sturm (University of Hamburg) ↗
„Breaks with educational norms and practices – social-institutional and practical learning opportunities?“
Prof. Dr. Jörg Zirfas (University of Cologne) ↗
„Primo Levi: Is this a human being? “
Symposia
Symposia consist of two to four contributions and must demonstrate a clear connection to the congress theme “Ruptures.” The duration is 120 minutes.
Time slots: Monday, 2:30–4:30 p.m.; Tuesday, 9:00–11:00 a.m.; Wednesday, 2:30–4:30 p.m.
Working Groups
Working groups generally consist of two to three contributions and allow for greater flexibility in content and methodology – though they often still relate to the congress theme.
Time slot: Tuesday, 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Research Forums
Research forums are open in both content and format and provide space for two to four contributions.
Time slot: Wednesday, 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Thematic Forums
Thematic forums consist of four individually submitted contributions that have been thematically coordinated.
Time slots: Monday, 2:30–4:30 p.m.; Tuesday, 9:00–11:00 a.m.; Wednesday, 2:30–4:30 p.m.
Ad-hoc Groups
Ad-hoc groups address disciplinary or science-policy issues of current relevance to educational science. Content and format may follow traditional or alternative approaches.
Time slot: Wednesday, 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Poster Session
This format serves to present and discuss educational research in a visually accessible and interactive way. Posters may, but do not have to, relate to the congress theme “Ruptures.” For the first time, an audio guide will be offered, enabling asynchronous access and providing orientation through the on-site exhibition.
Time slot: expected Tuesday, 8:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
GERA Events
Section and Commission Meetings
Members’ Assembly
The GERA is organized into 14 sections and numerous commissions, in which key developments, strategies, and current issues of the respective sub-disciplines are discussed. The congress provides an ideal opportunity to meet and exchange ideas within these scholarly communities. The meetings are open exclusively to members of the respective section or commission.
Time slot: Monday, 5:00–7:00 p.m.
The GERA Executive Board invites all members to attend the General Meeting. The main focus of the General Meeting will be a review of the past term of office and the presentation of the candidates for the subsequent digital Executive Board election. In addition, the Executive Board will award honorary membership, the sponsorship award and the DGfE Research Award.
All full and associate members of the GERA are eligible to participate.
Time slot: Tuesday, 2:30–5:30 p.m.
Venue: Audimaxx
Associations & Institutions
As part of the congress, you will have the opportunity to engage in dialogue with representatives of various research-related organizations. Whether funding opportunities, research perspectives, or current programs – take the chance to learn more about the work of institutions such as
- BMFSFJ
- DFG
- DIPF
- EWFT
- UNESCO
- WERE & EERA