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Resilient Futures: Leading International Education Through Transformation and Global Uncertainty — 8–9 September 2026, Metropolis Melbourne
The international education sector is navigating a period of profound transformation shaped by global instability, technological acceleration, regulatory reform, shifting labour markets, and evolving student expectations.
To lead through this uncertainty, the 35th ISANA Conference proposes an integrated stream framework that positions resilience, innovation, equity, and leadership at the center of the sector’s future.
The following seven streams form the backbone of the conference program, providing a comprehensive and future-focused structure that supports practitioners, institutions, policymakers, and partners to collaborate, innovate, and build a resilient international education environment.
8-9 September 2026
Metropolis, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
World-class speakers leading the conversation on resilience, AI, and the future of international education.
Together providing a comprehensive framework to collaborate, innovate, and build a resilient and inclusive international education environment.
Building resilient institutions, systems and student support ecosystems in an era of global uncertainty. Crisis readiness, governance of uncertainty, climate adaptation, and sustainable service design.
Navigating automation, ethics, risk, and the human experience in tech-enabled learning. Ethical AI governance, digital literacy, cybersecurity, and AI copilots for staff and students.
Transforming how institutions deliver learning, support, and engagement across the student lifecycle. Hybrid orientation models, early-alert frameworks, peer-led learning, and co-designed services.
Embedding equity, protection, and cultural safety across the student experience. Anti-racism, preventing exploitation, welfare standards, safeguarding under-18s, and holistic wellbeing.
Supporting and professionalising the international education workforce. Professional identity, skills frameworks, leadership development, high-performance teams, and workforce wellbeing.
Supporting and professionalising the international education workforce. Professional identity, skills frameworks, leadership development, high-performance teams, and workforce wellbeing.
Focusing on scholarly research currently undertaken by individuals and institutions within the sector, occurring at doctoral or post-doctoral level under formal supervision.
Exciting sessions, expert speakers, and sector-leading conversations are currently being curated for the ISANA 35th National Conference 2026. Stay tuned as the full program is released in stages following the Call for Abstracts process.
Opening Ceremony
Opening Address & Welcome to Country
Formal welcome and acknowledgement of Traditional Custodians of the land.
Keynoten 1
Resilient Futures: Leading Through Global Uncertainty
Opening keynote address setting the tone for the conference. Speaker TBC.
Climate, Crisis, Mobility & the Future of International Education
A multi-perspective plenary panel exploring the critical forces reshaping global student mobility.
Streams 1, 2, 3 — Simultaneous Sessions
Resilience & Crisis Preparedness · Technology & AI · Innovation in Academic & Student Services
AI Governance Workshop / Crisis Simulation Lab
Hands-on, scenario-based workshops for practitioners to develop practical skills.
Keyynote 2
Human-Centred AI and the Future of Learning
Exploring how human-centred approaches to AI are reshaping education and student support. Speaker TBC.
Streams 4, 5, 6 — Simultaneous Sessions
Student Safety & Inclusion · Workforce of the Future · Quality, Regulation & Systems Leadership
Poster Showcase & Exhibition
Browse research posters from practitioners and researchers across the sector while networking over lunch.
Roundtables: Belonging · Compliance · Workforce Capability
Small-group facilitated discussions on the most pressing sector challenges.
Stream 7
Stream 7 — Research Presentations
Doctoral and post-doctoral research presentations from scholars across the international education sector.
Conference Close: Summary · Acknowledgements · 2027 Conference Launch
Final session with reflections, announcements, and the official launch of ISANA 2027.
