Symposium Proposal Submission
Categories & Guidelines
The International Journal of Self-Directed Learning is a refereed, electronic journal founded to disseminate scholarly papers that document research, theory, or innovative or exemplary practice. It is published twice annually.
1. All submissions must be original presentations that have not been previously published or presented. Proposals should clearly specify the submission category.
2. All submissions should address aspects of SDL and should reflect the ISSDL definition of SDL. Some suggested topics include, but are not limited to the following:
A. theory, research methods, conceptualizations and SDL applications;
B. SDL in continuing professional education;
C. SDL in the workforce;
D. SDL in the global skills economy;
E. SDL in distance education, instructional technology, and game design;
F. SDL in human resource development (business and industry or in the voluntary and governmental sectors);
G. SDL aspects of lifelong learning; and
H. SDL at any school level (elementary to higher education; professional education).
3. Proposals should be one- to two-pages in length for the categories listed below:
Research Paper: Proposals and final paper submissions should include the following sections as appropriate:
Overview, Purpose/Problem, Sample/Population, Instrumentation, Procedures, Major Findings, and Conclusions. Research paper presentations at the symposium will feature a formal presentation followed by a question-and-answer session within a 45-minute time block. Presenters should be prepared to submit a formal paper and a PowerPoint presentation by January 23, 2026.
Practice Brief: Proposals should include an abstract that highlights a specific practice supporting SDL in educational or workplace settings.
The abstract must describe the practice and provide a framework for its theoretical connection to SDL. Practice Brief presentations at the symposium will feature a formal presentation followed by a question-and-answer session within a 45-minute timeframe. Presenters should be ready to submit a formal paper and a PowerPoint presentation by January 23, 2026.
4. Proposals are due by October 31, 2025. Notification of proposal acceptance will be made by November 7, 2025.
5. To begin submission of your proposal, please complete the following form: