THE LEARNING SCIENCE CONFERENCE 2026

OVERVIEW

What Learning Professionals Need to Know About How Learning Works.

Bridge the gap between research and practice: join the Learning Science Conference 2026.

The Learning Science Conference is Learning Development Accelerator’s signature event, focused on the foundational science behind how people learn, and what that means for learning design decisions.

Each year, we go deep into the mechanisms that shape learning: memory, retrieval, cognitive load, motivation, feedback, assessment, and more. Not as abstract theory, but as practical insight you can use to design more effective learning experiences.

This conference is designed to ground new learning professionals and to refresh, sharpen, and deepen the judgment of experienced designers and leaders. Because without an understanding of learning science, everything else we do in L&D rests on shaky ground.

During the conference, you will:

• Deepen your understanding of how learning happens.

• Gain readily applicable evidence-based tools.

• Network with leading thinkers and practitioners.

Whether you design, deliver, manage, or support learning, you’ll leave with actionable insight and renewed confidence in creating learning that truly sticks.

WHAT’S IN IT?

The Learning Science Conference is where learning professionals come together around evidence-based L&D.

The conference is a one-month experience that includes:

• 9 practical topics to explore the nuances of learning presented by the expert speakers

• 5 special events to spark reflection and expand your perspective

• Asynchronous and live, online sessions

• A dedicated forum to interact with speakers and fellow attendees

Our handpicked speakers will dive into the science of how learning happens, covering: encoding, retrieval, emotion, motivation, multi-media, social learning, assessment & measurement, feedback, and more. You’ll walk away with the insights and tools you need to design solutions that are engaging and effective.

And because the conference is paced intentionally, you’ll have time to watch sessions, reflect, try ideas in your own context, and then join the live sessions with questions—so you can learn from peers and get feedback from experienced experts.

HOW IT WORKS (conference Format)

The Learning Science Conference isn’t a single-day event! It’s a month-long learning experience designed to support deep thinking, reflection, and application, not passive consumption. That’s why we are using a hybrid format, which means

You’ll have time to think, question, revisit ideas, and connect theory to real learning challenges. We want you to leave with clearer next steps for applying what you learned.

CONFERENCE TOPICS and SESSION Structure

Each topic will have an asynchronous video presentation and two live featured sessions (90 minutes long) to accommodate differences in time zones as much as possible. Plus, you’ll be invited to five special sessions (60 minutes long), including panel-style conversations and other curated gatherings, to explore ideas from multiple angles and connect with the community.

All sessions are recorded, so you always have an opportunity to review even after the session.

Featured Sesssions

90 minutes, repeated 2 times to accomodate different time zones.

• Before Skills: The Knowledge You Need and The Ways to Get It by Clark Quinn

• The Motivation Blueprint: Designing Motivational Environments that Support Learning by Matt Richter

• The Learner Already Left: Designing for Attention You Don't Actually Have by Nidhi Sachdeva

• Integrated Assessment and Evaluation for Evidence-Informed Learning Design by Elham Arabi

• Neuroscience Behind Learning by Nuri Jeong

• Design: The need for Objectives and Analysis by Dawn Snyder

• Learning Development Process: Iteration, Prototyping, and Formative Evaluations by Tom McDowell

• The OG AI (Authentic Interaction): Exercising Your Facilitation Skills to Support Human Connection by Kat Koppett

Special Sesssions

60 minutes, one session.

• Legends Panel with Elizabeth Bjork, Robert Bjork, John Sweller, and Paul Kirschner facilitated by Nidhi Sachdeva

• Special Q&A Session: How learning happens with Paul Kirschner

• Networking session facilitated by Kat Koppett

• Special Roundtable focused on diversity, accesssibility, and inclusion with Ingeborg Kroese, Anne Brafford, and Stephanie Moore

• Special Session with Ruth Clark

The team is working hard to share the conference schedule. It will be available soon. If you have any schedule-related questions, please contact us at info@ldaccelerator.com.

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