Call for Proposals

35th Annual Conference

July 13-16, 2025 | San Diego, CA

We are pleased to invite submissions for presentation at the 2025 Association of Leadership Educators Annual Conference. We invite submissions across six categories – (1) research manuscripts, (2) practice/application manuscripts, (3) workshops, (4) panels, (5) roundtable discussions, and (6) posters.

For a full description of each proposal category, along with related templates, submission, and formatting requirements, and review rubrics, please see below.

We also encourage authors to engage our conference theme, Rise Together: Leadership in a New Light, in their submissions, although this is not required for acceptance. Learn more about this year's theme.

Submission Requirements:

There is a limit of two first-author submissions, except posters - there is no limit on the number of poster submissions
Non-ALE members may submit proposals for conference presentations. If accepted for presentation, at least one author of the proposal must join ALE as a member prior to the presenter conference registration deadline.
All submissions will include a 200-word abstract
All reviews are conducted through a double-blind, volunteer review process. Please do not include identifying information. Panel submissions, however, should include identifying panelist information
Special attention should be given to using bias-free language as articulated by the American Psychological Association; see the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association style, 7th edition, Chapter 5 for tips about how to reduce bias
All submissions should be uploaded to the submission portal as Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) files.

Deadline for Submission is 11:59pm EST - Tuesday, February 11, 2025

See the Submission Formatting & Requirements for full submission formatting details.

See past conference proceedings for examples of successful submissions.

See Submit your Conference Proposal for instructions on accessing the submission and review portal.

Questions? Please contact Dr. Brittany Adams-Pope, Vice President & 2025 Conference Chair.

Proposal Submission Categories

Research Manuscripts

Research manuscript submissions share the results of a qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods study that contribute to the emerging leadership education and educational strategy discourse. Submissions will include a clear statement of research purpose, a review and synthesis of related literature, a clear explanation of methodology, a discussion of findings and conclusions, and appropriate recommendations.

Session length: 20-30 minutes (contingent upon number of sessions at the event)

Submission word limit: 8000 words (excluding abstract and references)

See the Submission Formatting & Requirements and the Research Manuscript Submission Template for details.

View the Research Manuscript Submission Review Rubric

Practice/Application Manuscripts

Practice/application manuscript submissions will discuss a project, program, practice or tool that has been implemented. Application manuscripts should include a clear issue statement, a grounding of the pedagogy/andragogy in salient literature, description of the application, discussion of outcomes and implications, and recommendations.

Session length: 20-30 minutes (contingent upon number of sessions at the event)

Submission word limit: 5000 words (excluding abstract and references)

See the Submission Formatting & Requirements and the Practice/Application Submission Template details.

View the Practice/Application Submission Review Rubric

Workshops

Workshops provide an opportunity for a longer, more in-depth experience and active participation around an innovative educational practice, teaching and learning tool, or research method. Facilitators will include opportunities for active attendee participation and/or knowledge sharing.

Session length: 90 minutes

Submission word limit: 2000 words (excluding abstract and references)

See the Submission Formatting & Requirements and the Workshop Submission Template for details.

View the Workshop Submission Review Rubric

Panels

Panel chairs bring together 3-4 experts in an area of work for facilitated discussion and question and answer opportunities. Panel topics may be practice, research, or pedagogy/learning focused and interdisciplinary panels that reach across areas of expertise are encouraged.

Session length: 90 minutes

Submission word limit: 2000 words (excluding abstract and references)

See the Submission Formatting & Requirements and the Panel Submission Template for details.

View the Panel Submission Review Rubric

Roundtable Discussions

Roundtables allow participants to discuss and share ideas with each other on a topic of shared interest with the aid of a facilitator. These small, informal discussions may focus on nascent research or program ideas to facilitate collaboration around shared interests to strengthen future projects. They also serve as opportunities for conversation and community building among leadership educators with similar interests.

During roundtable sessions, facilitators should provide a brief introduction to the topic and allow attendees to discuss and share ideas with each other. The facilitator serves as a guide and frames the conversation, and encourages active discussion from the group.

Each roundtable session will last 30 minutes, and participants are encouraged to come and go between roundtables during the session as they please. Facilitators should be prepared to engage attendees as they come and go.

Session length: 30 minutes

Submission word limit: 500 words (excluding abstract and references)

See the Submission Formatting & Requirements and the Roundtable Discussion Submission Template for details.

View the Roundtable Discussion Submission Review Rubric

Posters

Professional quality posters outlining either leadership practice or research relevant to the leadership education field are encouraged. Submissions from scholars and practitioners are encouraged. Posters should introduce, share, or describe an interesting practice or program in the field of leadership education or describe an existing research project at either the emerging or final stage.

Session length: Posters will be available for viewing and interaction during a live, 90 minute poster session

Submission word limit: 500 words (excluding abstract and references)

See the Submission Formatting & Requirements and the Poster Submission Template for details.

View the Poster Submission Review Rubric