On this link you can find the program.
Research – Attitude – Activism?
Inclusion Research between Educational Utopia and System Conformity
18. to 20. February 2026 – University of 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 its theme is 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 related to current research and projects and presentations, as well as on topics related to these areas. With this in mind, we will organize a get-together on the evening of 17 February 2026 for all those who are interested.
How to register for the conference
Conference registration has started on the first of August 2025 and is open until first of February 2026. Click here to access the conference registration form and the terms and conditions, including the rebooking and cancellation policy. The conference registration does not provide an English front. If you need any assistance, please contact us via email: ifo2026@uni-bremen.de.
Please use the same name and email address for your registration that you used for the submission of 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 forward to welcoming you to the University of Bremen.
Conference 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 includes snacks and coffee throughout the day as well as lunch at the university cafeteria. Conference tickets can be cancelled for a fee of €25 until 25 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 on Thursday night at Kukoon, a typical Bremen restaurant and bar. Tickets for the conference dinner cost 60€ and include a vegetarian buffet as well as a variety of alcoholic 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. The 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. Rooms in the conference hotels cost between €85 and €140 per night per person. The contingent at Ibis Budget City Bremen is available until 20 January 2026 and the contingente at the H+ Hotel is available until 21 January 2026.
Arriving on Tuesday may be advisable due to the conference already beginning on Wednesday morning.
Program
We are pleased to announce that we can publish the detailed conference program. A program overview with all individual contributions, abstracts and further information is now available in the Pretalx system.
Below you will find a short overview of the conference program (provisional status as of February 12, 2026)
English contributions at the IFO
18 Feb 3:30 – 5:00 PM
Disjointed hope? Reflecting on our Work on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion within an US-German Research and Teaching Collaboration – Ann-Kathrin Arndt, Dr. Chrystal S Johnson, Alena Beck, Petra Leverenz, Christy Wessel Powell, Bettina Lindmeier, Ines Potthast
19 Feb 09:00 – 09:40 AM
In what way do researchers impact political discourses on inclusion? Critical reflections on a cross-national discourse analysis concerning achievement and achievement differences – Simone Seitz, Michaela Kaiser, Sara Baroni, Séneca Jurado van Bürck, Aline Lupa, Marielouise Schild, Anna Schwermann
19 Feb 09:40 – 10:20 AM
The Diversification of the University Professoriate as an Aspect of Inclusion in Higher Education: Problems and Possibilities – Clea Schmidt
English Poster in the Postersession: 19 Feb 10:30 – 11:30 AM
Croatian Teachers Use of Behavior Management Strategies in Inclusive Classrooms – Nataša Vlah
19 Feb 11:30 AM – 12:10 PM
The Role of Teachers’ Biases in Shaping Inclusive Educational Planning: a systematic literature review – Heidrun Demo
19 Feb 12:10 – 12:50 PM
Foodagogy: the art of becoming totally inclusive through food stories – Angeline Aow
International Highlight
20 Feb 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM:
Diversity Matters: Progress, Backlash & the Uncertain Future of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Efforts – Prof. Dr. Evelynn Hammonds, Prof. Dr. Timothy McCarthy
On Friday morning, an international highlight concludes the conference with a keynote by Prof. Dr. Evelynn Hammonds and Prof. Dr. Timothy Patrick McCarthy (both Harvard University). Their talk addresses the future of inclusive education in times of increasing pressure from right-wing extremist movements and governments, drawing on perspectives from social movements, human rights, gender studies, and education.
Good to know
Catering
Vegetarian and vegan meals will be served during the conference and at the social evening. Lunch on Wednesday and Thursday will be provided in the campus cafeteria, offering a wide variety of dishes. The social evening includes a buffet and a drinks package (non-alcoholic drinks plus selected alcoholic beverages).
Arrival
- By car: Take the A27 at Bremer Kreuz towards Bremen/Bremerhaven. Exit at Universität/Horn-Lehe and follow signs to the university. Parking is available on campus (fees: 1€/day outside cash or card payment or 1,50€/day in underground garage, only cash payment).
- By public transport: Tram line 6 and bus lines 21, 22, 28 and 31 serve the university. Check schedules via the Fahrplaner App.
- By train: From Bremen Central Station, take tram line 6 towards Universität and exit at Universität/Zentralbereich.
Where to go?
The main conference building is GW2, with additional rooms in the SFG building nearby. For more information check the campus map.
City maps and accessibility information are provided by Bremen Tourism center.
Around Bremen
The Viertel and Neustadt are popular meeting places for students and young people in Bremen. There are many small cafés, cozy pubs and delicious restaurants here.
The Altstadt and Schnoorviertel are more culturally and touristically oriented. From the ‚Bremer Stadtmusikanten‘ to the market square to pretty cafés, you will find many sights and charming corners here.
The Bürgerpark, Osterdeich, and Werdersee are ideal for a walk.
The area around the main train station is less inviting and many people do not feel safe there, especially in the evening hours. We therefore recommend avoiding this area and heading to one of Bremen’s many more beautiful and lively neighborhoods instead.
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.