CHEA 2027 Annual Conference Call for Proposals

2027 CHEA Annual Conference: Shaping the Future of Higher Education: Trust, Integrity, and Quality, January 25–28, 2027 | Call for Proposals

Higher education is evolving rapidly, driven by technological innovation, new educational models, shifting student expectations, and a dynamic policy environment at home and around the world. The 2027 CHEA Annual Conference will bring together higher education leaders, accreditors, policymakers, faculty, researchers, and international colleagues to explore how quality assurance and accreditation can help shape that future.

CHEA invites proposals for plenary and concurrent sessions that examine how higher education and accreditation can strengthen trust, uphold integrity, and advance quality in this changing environment. We welcome a diversity of perspectives, experiences, and voices from national and global contexts alike.

CHEA’s “Call for Proposals” provides opportunities for large and small group engagement from a variety of stakeholders to discuss relevant and current topics that address quality assurance from national and global perspectives. CHEA encourages open dialogue on critical issues and welcomes diversity of experiences, exchanges, and interactions between attendees. The January 25–28, 2027 conference will feature sessions on various topics related to accreditation and quality assurance. We are seeking proposals for plenary and concurrent sessions.

Criteria for sessions:

  • Two to three presenters for the plenary session; one to two presenters for the concurrent session
  • Sixty (60) minutes, including time for questions and participation from the audience
  • No commercial advertising
  • Presentations should be designed to offer a variety of perspectives on the topic
  • All topics must be relevant to the 2027 conference theme, Shaping the Future of Higher Education: Trust, Integrity, and Quality. Proposals should address how external or internal factors shape trust, integrity, and quality in higher education, and their implications for accreditation and institutional or program academic quality.

International submissions: In addition to the criteria above, please adhere to the following criteria:

  • Begin notifying CHEA early of your requirements for attending and participation as a Conference presenter. If a letter of invitation is needed, please notify CHEA before or by November 6, 2026. Requests for invitation letters may not be considered after November 6, 2026.
  • If your proposal has multiple presenters, please identify the lead contact for correspondence with CHEA.
  • If plans change after the notification of proposal acceptance, notify Joel Espinoza immediately at [email protected].

The proposal process is competitive. Proposals will be reviewed, and notification of selected proposals will be sent by September 23.

Suggested topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

  • Trust and confidence in higher education and accreditation.
  • Ethical leadership, institutional integrity, and academic rigor.
  • Policy, governance, and the evolving accreditation landscape (including implications of recent federal/state actions).
  • Student outcomes, evidence of learning, and institutional value.
  • Transparency, data use, and continuous improvement practices.
  • Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in teaching, learning, and QA.
  • New models and providers: quality assurance for alternative credentialing and delivery.
  • Transfer, credit mobility, affordability, and pathways to completion.
  • Collaboration, partnerships, and global engagement in quality assurance.
  • Access, equity, and long term societal impact.
  • Global perspectives and emerging international practices in quality assurance and accreditation.
  • The future role of accreditation in national and global higher education systems.

The selected proposals will demonstrate relevance or a relationship to quality assurance, accreditation, or student success.

Submission Proposal Form

The selected proposals will demonstrate relevance or a relationship to quality assurance, accreditation, or student success.

Session proposals should be submitted to CHEA using the official proposal form by September 11, 2026. Proposals will only be reviewed if submitted on the proposal form. The call for proposals is open to all.

The suggested topics reflect the conference theme and global perspectives. Proposals on related topics are welcome.