The Alliance for Learning Innovation is thrilled to have seven session proposals up for consideration at SXSW EDU 2026! These sessions are designed to bring together education leaders, advocates, and experts to explore how research and development can drive meaningful progress in schools across the country. We need your votes to make them happen!
ALI’s SXSW EDU session proposals reflect our commitment to strengthening education R&D systems through strategic partnerships, policy leadership, and practitioner expertise. At a time when federal support for education research and innovation is shifting, these sessions underscore the need to advocate for a modernized, more coordinated federal role.
Featuring insights from ALI’s Future of Federal Education R&D Task Force and across the coalition, ALI’s SXSW EDU proposals make the case for why robust, well-supported education R&D is essential to strengthen U.S. competitiveness and prepare the next generation for future success.
Why PanelPicker Voting Matters
Sessions are selected for SXSW EDU through a three-part evaluation process that includes SXSW EDU’s advisory board, SXSW EDU staff, and community voting. Community voting accounts for 30 percent of the overall evaluation.
To vote for SXSW EDU sessions, make an account on PanelPicker. Please cast your votes and encourage your networks to do the same! SXSW EDU evaluators also value engagement with session proposals, so consider leaving a comment or question on each session’s PanelPicker page.
ALI’s SXSW EDU 2026 Session Proposals
With your help, ALI will bring a diversity of leaders advancing education R&D and improving student outcomes to SXSW EDU 2026. Please take just a few minutes to vote for ALI’s proposed sessions by clicking on each session title below:
- Prioritizing Education R&D: Voices from States and Districts: Join this session to hear from state and local leaders who are driving evidence-based innovation, and learn about how collaboration across systems is helping these leaders achieve more, faster.
- States Matter: Using Ed R&D to Drive Student Outcomes: Join the co-author of Seizing the Opportunity for State Education R&D, a national advocate for education R&D, and a state leader who has shepherded this work for a hands-on workshop about building the conditions and infrastructure for a thriving education R&D ecosystem.
- Shaping What’s Next in Federal Ed R&D: Join this panel to hear from education R&D experts and advocates about a new, bold blueprint that reimagines the role of the Institute of Education Sciences and other federal agencies that have historically made critical investments in education R&D.
- Future Ready: Innovations in Career-Connected Learning: In this session, leading voices in education and workforce innovation will explore how to bridge the gap between classrooms and careers – and equip students with skills to succeed in the jobs of tomorrow.
- From the Ground Up: Driving Innovation Through Local R&D: In this session, former North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction, Catherine Truitt, will share how bold, state-level leadership can drive innovation, scale evidence-based practices, and reimagine accountability systems for workforce readiness.
- Building an Evidence-Base for “Workforce Readiness”: This conversation with the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Career, Technical, and Adult Education will explore evidence-based strategies for career-connected learning – and uncover the research opportunities that must be addressed to ensure true postsecondary and career success for all students.
- Catalyzing a New Flywheel: Building a Nimble R&D Ecosystem: In this fireside chat, leaders from AERDF, ALI, and Education First will explore how system partnerships are fueling a new model of education R&D: one that is cross-sector, practice-informed, and built to move bold ideas more swiftly into classrooms.
Thank you for your support. We hope to see you in Austin in 2026!
