Research – Attitude – Activism?
Inclusion Research between Educational Utopia and System Conformity
18. bis 20. Februar 2026 – Universität Bremen
General Information on the IFO 2026
For a period of four decades, scholars have been convening to exchange ideas at the IFO conference.
The Bremen IFO team is pleased to invite you to the 39th Annual Conference on Inclusion Research in Bremen. The conference is scheduled to take place from 18 to 20 February 2026, and the theme is to be titled Research – Attitude – Activism? Inclusion Research between Educational Utopia and System Conformity.
To what extent is inclusion in school systems and other areas of society still a distant but nevertheless desirable (educational) utopia, an already (partially) existing reality, or an illusion made impossible by systemic, economic, or political barriers? How do we, as researchers and practitioners in this field, respond to these questions?
In addition to the conference theme, there will be ample time allocated for the exchange of ideas and the establishment of professional networks on all current research and projects presented, as well as on topics related to these areas. With this in mind, we will organise a get-together on the evening of 17 February 2026 for all those who are interested.
How to submit an abstract for the IFO 2026
The submission period for the IFO conference 2026 has opened on 1st of August 2025. All information on abstracts as well as the theme and aim of the conference can be found in the call for papers. Submission closes on the 15th of September.
Please use the pretalx platform for submitting your abstract. Pretalx offers an English front that you can choose at the top of the first page.
How to registrate for the conference
Conference registration has started on the first of August 2025. For capacity reasons, we can offer a maximum of 400 spots. Click here to access the conference registration form and the terms and conditions, including the rebooking and cancellation policy. The conference registration does not offer an English front. If you need any assistance, please contact us via email: ifo2026@uni-bremen.de.
When registering for the conference via the Bremen Convention Bureau website, please use the same name and email address that you used when registering your abstracts in your Pretalx account. This will make it easier for us to link your registration to your submitted papers.
We eagerly anticipate your insights and perspectives and are looking foward to welcoming you to Bremen University.
Conferency Fee and events offered during the conference
The regular conference fee is €280. Those eligible for a discount (students and persons in the qualification phase with a job share of less than 65%) pay €150. The fee encompasses snacks and coffee throughout the day as well as lunch at the university canteen. Since we are reserving 150 conference tickets for those participants who are chosen to hold a lecture, you may also wait to registrate till the review process has concluded. Conference tickets can be cancelled at a fee of €25 untill the 25th of January 2026. Afterwards, a reimbursement of the conference fee will not be possible.
Additional costs will be incurred for participation in the conference dinner and the city tour on Thursday afternoon. The Conference dinner takes place Thrusday night at Kukoon, a typical Bremen restaurant and bar. Tickets to the conference dinner cost 60€ and include a vegeterian buffet as well as a variety of alcoholoc and non-alcoholic drinks.
Accomodation
The registration website also offers you the opportunity to book a room in one of four hotels through the conference contingents. The Hotel Seven Things is located on campus in close proximity to the conference venue. Ehe Atlantic Hotel Universum is also located within walking distance of the university. The Ibis Budget City Bremen is located near the train station and the H+ is in Bremen’s old town. In keeping with the nature of the IFO conference, we would be delighted if many people took advantage of the contingents. Rooms in the conference hotels cost between €85 and €140 per night per person.
International Friday
Traditionally, the IFO conference mainly adresses the German speaking inclusion research community. Thus, lectures and discussions are usally held in German. In 2026, the IFO will conclude with an „International Friday“, offering a keynote speach as well as several other discussions and talks in English. Unfortunately, we are not able to provide a comprehesive translation service for the sessions on wednesday and thrusday. However, we do invite international guest to participate throughout the whole conference and will offer additional events eligible for international participants, such as excursions to schools that offer innovative concepts on inclusion and networking sessions with members of the „All Means All“ and the „Lehramt International (Teaching Profession International)“ projects.
Accessibility
We are striving to make the conference as accessible as possible. To help us with our preparations, we would like to ask you about your requirements during the registration process. Please feel free to contact us directly with any questions or concerns by emailing ifo2026@uni-bremen.de.
We are also currently working on an awareness concept for the conference. If you have any needs, questions or ideas regarding awareness, please feel free to contact us by email.