OLPD Student Research Conference

The OLPD Student Research Conference (OLPD SRC) is a student-run, annual event highlighting the research findings, effective practices, and theoretical/conceptual developments of OLPD graduate students.

The first OLPD SRC was held at the Continuing Education and Conference Center on Saturday, April 16, 2011. The idea of highlighting students' research stems from the 2008 WHRE (Work and Human Resource Education) Student Research Conference, during which students presented their work.

Since its inception, the conference has showcased the work of graduate students from the OLPD engaged in diverse forms of meaningful research. It also allows graduate students to test new ideas, receive feedback from colleagues and faculty, and create opportunities for dynamic scholarly engagement. The conference welcomes all types of original research submissions, including papers presented or scheduled for presentation at local or national conferences, articles written for classes, research projects conducted by faculty, pilot studies, preliminary dissertations and thesis work results.

2026 Conference Details

Friday, February 27

The OLPD Student Research Conference is an annual, student-run event dedicated to supporting your growth as scholars and professionals, providing a platform to showcase your ideas, engage with peers, receive valuable feedback, build confidence in presenting at professional conferences, and develop your academic identity by sharing your research in a supportive and engaging environment. It is also a fantastic opportunity to cultivate professional connections across the diverse tracks within the OLPD department.

We are accepting proposals through December 31, 2025. Check out details regarding the conference theme below, review the full Call for Proposals, then submit your proposal using our submissions form. We welcome submissions on the varied scholarship you engage in, including:

Research being presented at other conferences
Papers written for class
Faculty research collaborations
Pilot studies, dissertation/thesis work, and more!

We can’t wait to see the exciting research you’ll bring to the conference! If you have any questions or need more information about submitting a proposal, feel free to reach out to us.

Review the Full Call for Proposals Submit Your Proposal

2026 Conference Theme: "A Bridge Between Worlds: Practitioners and Scholars in Dialogue"

As past, present, and future scholars, we live as people who influence and create both formal and informal learning spaces. Through daily practices, struggles, and commitments in our various fields, we help envision the future of the next generation.

We each began our graduate journey with our own experiences and philosophies of education. Along the way, we have often found ourselves navigating between two worlds: the ideals of scholarship and the realities of practice. While the world of research can appear aspirational, applying scholarly insights to classrooms, communities, businesses, and organizations is rarely simple. Yet, this is where transformation takes place.The 2026 Student Research Conference seeks to create a bridge between research and practice. Across this bridge, we hope to engage in dialogue, share research, wrestle with challenges, and build understanding together.

We believe scholarship sustains practice, and practice gives life to scholarship. Our conference aspires to play the role of connector—fostering spaces where the two are not separate, but mutually reinforcing.

Photos from the 2025 Conference

Registration table at the 2025 Student Research Conference with sign reading Welcome OLPD Students

Group portrait of attendees of the 2025 Student Research Conference

Presenter at the 2025 Student Research Conference

Concluding remarks from the planning committee at the 2025 Student Research Conference

Participant enjoying the 2025 Student Research Conference

Attendees enjoying the 2025 Student Research Conference

Professor chats with students at the 2025 Student Research Conference

Presentation at the 2025 Student Research Conference

Attendees conversing at the 2025 Student Research Conference

Panel presentation at the 2025 Student Research Conference

Attendees converse at the 2025 Student Research Conference

Contact

Questions? Reach out to the 2026 Conference Planning Committee at olpdconf@umn.edu.