The leading forum for materials educators in undergraduate engineering, design, science, and sustainability

The International materials education symposium is a unique conference that gathers educators in higher education in order to share ideas, innovations, experiences, successes and failures in teaching, and to provoke productive discussion around these issues. It focuses on materials related topics in engineering, design and sustainable development.

The Materials Education Symposia philosophy

To share ideas, innovations, experiences, successes and failures

To provoke productive discussion around these issues

To expand the links that form such a key feature of the Materials Community

The symposia foster an atmosphere of community amongst educators involved in teaching undergraduate materials science across disciplines including engineering, design, and science.

Call for Talk Abstracts for IMES 2027 OPEN

Registrations are now open (See Important Dates below).

IMES 2027 Themes

The Scientific Committee would like to invite participants to share their ideas and experiences relating to:

1. Emerging teaching, learning and assessment practices in materials education - for example:

Hands-on learning activities

Low-cost and engaging experimental activities

Innovative approaches to assessment and feedback or group work

2. Educating the Next Generation of Materials Innovators - for example:

Inclusive pedagogies for neuro-diverse teaching environments

Key topics we should be integrating in the curriculum and approaches to this

Industry input in curriculum development

Materials activities to support STEM and outreach

3. What should we teach materials students in the age of AI? - for example:

Threats and opportunities to materials education from AI

AI as a tool for teaching and assessment

Teaching AI as a tool for innovation in materials and design

4. Materials education within a multidisciplinary STEM context - for example:

Integrating materials teaching in multidisciplinary engineering and science degree programmes

The attractiveness of materials minors

Highlighting the role of materials in undergraduate science

5. Materials in Society and their contribution to Global Challenges - for example:

Materials education for sustainable design and the circular economy

Design aspects of materials

Social responsibility in materials education

Low-cost and engaging experimental activities

Innovative approaches to assessment and feedback or group work

Please submit your abstract through this IMES 2027 Abstract Submission Form: (https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/25UnA0uMWM)

Abstracts should be no more than 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

Important Dates

September 1st 2026 – Call for abstracts open

November 20th 2026 – Talk abstract deadline

December 15th 2026 – Speakers notification and program announcement

31st January 2027 – Early-bird registration and poster abstracts deadline

Notes on Payments and Discount Codes

The registration fees for this event vary based on your chosen participation, allowing flexibility to select options such as the insightful 2-day symposium, engaging 1-day workshop, and the delightful symposium dinner, ensuring attendees can tailor their experience to suit their preferences.

Early bird registration ends at midnight GMT on Saturday, January 31st, 2027.

‘EARLY-CAREER’ code: Early-career discount is aiming to encouraging young academics under 35 who are starting to teach in universities to come and share their experiences.

‘PhD-S’ code: PhD Symposium discount is aiming to encouraging PhD candidates who are supporting teaching in universities to come, share their experiences and learn from the community.

‘PhD-W+S’ code: PhD Workshop+Symposium discount is aiming to encouraging PhD candidates who are supporting teaching in universities to come, join the workshops, share their experiences and learn from the community.

Refunding will be possible up to 30 days before event, minus the eventbrite fees

REMINDER: Requirements for Travelers Visiting the United Kingdom

Electronic Travel Authorization (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta) is a digital permission to travel to the United Kingdom (U.K.) and is part the U.K. government’s plans to strengthen their border through digitalization.

ETA will be:

required for travelers who currently enter the U.K. visa-free (such as U.S. and E.U. nationals).

linked to passports electronically.

provide provisional permission to enter the U.K., but it is not a guarantee or promise of entry.

have time restrictions based on the nature of your visit.

required when transitioning through the U.K.

View a list of eligible nationalities and how to apply (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-when-you-can-get-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta)

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Description supplied by the event organiser.