Call for Abstracts (Talks / Posters)

NAMES 2026: Call for abstracts is open- April 7th deadline!

Registrations and submission of abstracts for an oral or a poster presentation are now open.

NAMES 2026 Session Themes


The symposium welcomes contributions on any areas of materials education, including (but not limited to):

1. Materials and Sustainability:

  • Climate-action project-based learning approaches
  • Eco-informed design and sustainable materials selection
  • Design of recyclable, upcycled, and/or biodegradable materials and products
  • Materials life-cycle assessment, systems modelling, and circular materials systems
  • Critical materials and supply chains
  • Materials Science Solutions in solving UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
  • Nature-based solutions for ecological health that involve materials
  • Climate awareness and strategies to address learners’ and educators’ climate anxiety

2. AI and Machine Learning in Materials Education:

  • AI and ML as tools for materials design and materials discovery
  • The potential and limitations of AI and ML in educational practice (“friends and foes”)
  • Integrating AI literacy into the materials curriculum and laboratory experiences
  • Sustainability of AI and ML models: responsible consumption

3. Student Engagement and Materials Curriculum Development:

  • Science-led versus design-led approaches in materials education
  • Experiential, work-integrated, and/or research-integrated learning
  • Student-centric strategies to enhance engagement and interest in materials education
  • Engaging learners in the exploration and development of non-traditional and advanced materials
  • Fostering accessible learning environments for all learners
  • Outlook on the evolving role of materials engineering toward 2030
  • Nature-based solutions for ecological health that involve materials
  • Climate awareness and strategies to address learners’ and educators’ climate anxiety

Announced keynote speakers


To be announced

Important Dates

  • Feb 1st, 2026 – Call for abstracts open
  • April 7th, 2026 – Submission deadline for oral presentation abstracts
  • April 30th, 2026 – Speakers notification and program announcement
  • May 1st, 2026 – Early bird registration and submission deadline for poster abstracts
  • July 29th, 2026 – ANSYS full-day workshop (lunch included)
  • July 30th-31st, 2026 – Conference (breakfast and lunch included)

Please submit your abstract on this form submit an abstract HERE

Abstracts should be no more than 200 - 300 words and ideally contain the following:

  • Background and motivation
  • What was done? Methods used and why?
  • Results, i.e., include some evidence and analysis. What was found?
  • Conclusions and significance, including wider application