Call for Contributions: ESD Exchange 2026

A national platform for advancing Education for Sustainable Development in Higher Education

PRME UK & Ireland is delighted to share that the Call for Contributions is now open for ESD Exchange 2026, a national conference dedicated to connecting and inspiring colleagues committed to Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and Green Skills across the UK and beyond.

Hosted at De Montfort University, Leicester, this year’s Exchange will take place Thursday 16 April to Friday 17 April 2026, bringing together educators, students, researchers and practitioners who are shaping the future of sustainability in Higher Education.

Aligned with the values of the UN Principles for Responsible Management Education, the event champions collaboration, critical dialogue and transformative learning that supports the Sustainable Development Goals.

A conference centred on student voice and inclusive practice

A distinctive feature of ESD Exchange 2026 is its strong emphasis on student experiences and perspectives. The programme will foreground the role of students as partners and changemakers in ESD, reflecting a growing national and international movement towards co‑creation and shared leadership in sustainability education.

To ensure accessibility, the organising team are designing a low‑cost and inclusive event, with a range of fee options that reduce barriers to participation while covering essential hosting costs. In addition to the main in‑person programme, a series of webinar sessions will run before and after the conference for those unable to travel.

Submit your contribution

Educators, students, early career researchers, professional services colleagues, and sustainability practitioners are all warmly invited to contribute. Submissions may include:

• case studies

• research presentations

• collaborative projects

• student‑led initiatives

• creative or experimental pedagogy

• workshops, discussions or other interactive formats

  
  

The organisers welcome contributions that demonstrate innovation, partnership and impact, especially those supporting the embedding of ESD across curricula, operations and institutional culture.

Key dates

• Deadline for submissions: Tuesday 24 February 2026

• Decisions communicated: Tuesday 3 March 2026

You can view the full Call for Contributions and submit via the conference website:🔗 https://esdexchange2026.our.dmu.ac.uk

A collaborative effort for sector-wide impact

ESD Exchange 2026 is being delivered in partnership by:

• De Montfort University

• University of Leicester

• Loughborough University

• Students Organising for Sustainability (SOS‑UK)

  
  

This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to advancing high‑quality, values‑led ESD in the UK Higher Education sector. As long‑standing advocates for responsible management education, PRME UK & Ireland strongly encourages our community to participate, contribute and engage.