This year’s conference will focus on trust, exploring how teaching and assessment can be reimagined in the age of artificial intelligence. The keynote presentations will examine how trust is built between lecturers and students, and how it can foster meaningful learning and effective assessment. The conference will also consider how assessment practices should evolve in response to the growing role of artificial intelligence, while continuing to nurture learners’ curiosity, engagement, and personal development.
The conference takes place over two days. 20 January will feature workshops aimed at educational technologists and teaching developers from higher education institutions, while 21 January will be the main conference day. Taking place at the University of Tartu’s main building, the conference day will consist of a plenary session, workshops and poster presentation discussions. Keynote speeches will be delivered by Professor Kathryn Sutherland (Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand) and Kaitlin Lucas (Central European University, Austria).
We welcome poster presentations in which the academic staff can introduce their teaching experience to colleagues. Please submit your poster presentation request by 7 January 2027 at the latest HERE. Include the poster topic and a three-to-four-sentence core message. We expect digital landscape-format posters for the poster session. Interactive content (e.g. videos or dynamic graphic elements) created using PowerPoint or Canva is highly encouraged. Each presenter will have three minutes for a short oral presentation, followed by a more in-depth discussion with the audience. Please upload posters by 14 January HERE.
At the conference, the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Aune Valk will present the annual teaching awards and teaching quality awards. According to the Statute of Awards in the Field of Teaching, up to three teaching achievements from 2026 will be recognised – achievements that highlight effective cooperation and development activities in the university’s degree studies and continuing education. The teaching quality award recognises a university institute, college, or faculty for activities supporting the quality of teaching that have been designed and implemented successfully and effectively over the past three years.
Pre-registration is required for the conference. Registration is open until 13 January.
Program
10:30 – 13:00 Plenary Session
Opening remarks by the Rector of the University of Tartu, Professor Toomas Asser
Welcoming remarks from students
Plenary presentations:
The role of trust in teaching and learning; professor Kathryn Sutherland (Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington)
(Re)turn, (Re)kindle, (Re)imagine: Assessment in the Wake of Artificial Intelligence; Kaitlin Lucas (Central European University)
Awards for the Teaching Achievement of the Year and the Promotion of Teaching Quality – Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Aune Valk
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch
14:00 – 15:00 Workshops
15:15 – 16:00 Poster Presentations
Plenary Presentations
Abstract
Trust is crucial in teaching and learning in higher education, but we don’t often talk about how trust is built in university contexts. In this session, Kathryn will share international research on how university teachers and students conceive of trust, how they build trust, and why it matters for teaching, learning, and assessment.
Biography
Kathryn Sutherland is Professor of Higher Education in the Centre for Academic Development at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand. She is an award-winning scholar and teacher whose work has three main areas of focus: academic working lives; holistic academic development; and working in partnership with students to improve teaching and learning. Kathryn is a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, chair of the Editorial Board for the Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, and advisory board member for the International Journal for Academic Development. She aims through her research and practice to make universities more joyous and caring places to work and learn.
Abstract
After an initial scramble to make assessments “AI- proof,” many universities are rethinking assessment more broadly. Which practices still serve learners? Where, if anywhere at all, might AI belong? In this session, Kaitlin invites participants to consider these questions in dialogue with emerging approaches to AI and assessment, informed by experiences from institutions around the world. Together we may (re)imagine the future of assessment while prioritizing the relationships and conditions that spark curiosity, commitment, and growth.
Biography
Kaitlin Lucas is the Academic Technologist at the Yehuda Elkana Center for Teaching Learning, and Higher Education Research at Central European University (CEU), where she supports faculty and doctoral students with the thoughtful integration of digital technologies into teaching and learning. Her areas of interest include virtual exchange, game-based learning, and raising awareness for digital accessibility. Kaitlin’s research examines the ways in which pedagogical frameworks, such as those for digital education and AI literacy, operate as imaginaries shaping the epistemic and political paradigms of higher education.
The conference is organised by the Centre for Teaching and Learning.
The activities are carried out within the framework of the measure 21.4.4.2 “Hariduse, ühiskonna ja tööturu seosed - Kõrghariduse kvaliteet, rahvusvahelistumine ja doktorikoolid” of the Estonian Education and Youth Board. The activities are co-funded by the European Union.
Photographs will be taken at the event and later used in UT communication channels. Plenary presentations will be recorded by UTTV.
The conference “Teaching for Learning” has been held at the University of Tartu since 2015. Its purpose is to provide opportunities for learning from colleagues, sharing experiences, and engaging in didactic discussions, as well as to inspire instructors to maintain interest in learning, teaching, and students.
