2026 Research and Professional Development Conference

VOICES OF INNOVATION: AMPLIFYING RESEARCH IN CTE 

The CTE Research and Professional Development Conference is the foremost peer-reviewed conference for CTE researchers and academic professionals. This conference is coordinated by the Association for Career and Technical Education Research (ACTER) with co-sponsors The University Council for Workforce and Human Resource Education (University Council).

This year's conference will be held November 10-11, 2026, at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. The session theme is Shaping CTE for the Next Generation Workforce.

We invite researchers to submit manuscripts and proposals to be considered for presentation at the conference. Graduate students are highly encouraged to submit proposals for consideration. Presentations are selected via blind review. 

The 2026 program will feature five types of sessions:

• Research paper presentations (full paper)
• Research paper presentations (extended abstracts)
• Research posters
• Teaching innovation posters (new for 2026)
• Symposia
• Research round table discussions

Proceedings will be available post-conference

Conference Links

Call for Proposals

Proposal Submission Portal

Conference Registration

Conference Program

Conference Location Notes:

  • Check back as more information becomes available

A big thanks to this year’s sponsors: