CFP: OpenFest 2026 - September 15-18, 2026 - University of Sheffield (UK)

Combining the efforts of University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University - this year’s OpenFest will take place online 15th-18th September 2026, and the theme for 2026 is “Open Research: People and Place”.

This is our fifth event and we hope you'll join us in celebrating this milestone!

Co-delivered by the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University, OpenFest is our flagship celebration and exploration of open research. 2026 marks the fifth OpenFest event, and as ever we are committed to showcasing, interrogating, and advancing open research practices. The event will explore how open research is shaped by communities, geographic contexts, and organisational practices, highlighting innovative methodologies, inclusive dissemination, and the social and political dimensions of openness.  

We invite proposals for 20 minute papers, 10 minute lightning talks, panel discussions, online workshops, and creative proposals outside the usual paper/panel formats (e.g. videos, animations, zines and accompanying talks/discussions, creative outputs).

We welcome proposals from PGR and MRes students as well as research professionals, those based outside academia, and experienced researchers.  

Contributions may address, but are not restricted to, the following themes:

• Methodology and Participation
• Dissemination and Accessibility
• Politics and Power
• Community Engagement
• Organisations, Skills, and Resources

Find out more and submit your proposal through the form linked on our webpage: https://sheffield.ac.uk/openresearch/events/openfest-2026 

Deadline: midnight on 30th May 2026.

We look forward to seeing your proposals.

All the very best,

Alice. 

Dr Alice Howarth (she/her)

Open Research Manager

Office for Open Research & Scholarship

The University Library              

University of Sheffield

CFP (Chapters): Experiential Learning in Academic Libraries: A Practical Guide for Student Engagement #ACRLPublication

Working Title: Experiential Learning in Academic Libraries: A Practical Guide for Student Engagement

Edited by: Brittany Kester, Education Librarian, University of Florida, and Lisa Campbell, Learning and Engagement Librarian, University of Florida

Please send questions to ACRLexperientiallearning@ufl.edu 

We are excited to invite chapter proposals for our forthcoming ACRL book, Experiential Learning in Academic Libraries: A Practical Guide for Student Engagement. This edited volume aims to prepare educators to design and deliver meaningful experiential learning opportunities within their unique academic library contexts. Experiential learning emphasizes learning through direct experience and engaging students in hands-on, real-world activities to deepen understanding and foster critical thinking. Our goal is to provide practical, adaptable strategies that empower academic librarians to engage students in transformative learning experiences. 

We welcome proposals that showcase a range of approaches, including case studies highlighting successful initiatives, best practices for integrating experiential learning, pedagogical frameworks that inform teaching and learning, and innovative program models that inspire new possibilities inside and beyond the library classroom. 

The book is tentatively divided into the following sections: 

• Project-Based Learning Experiences: Capstone projects, client-based assignments, innovation projects, exhibitions, etc. 
• Community Service-Based Learning Experiences: Community service projects, civic engagement, volunteering, alternative spring break, living-learning communities, etc. 
• Student Research Experiences: Student research projects such as honors theses, independent study, research assistantships or fellowships, etc. 
• Professional Learning Experiences: Internships, co-ops, fieldwork, practicums, job shadowing, student-led workshops, peer coaching programs, etc. 
• Global Learning Experiences: Study abroad programs, virtual exchanges, international fellowships, etc. 

We strongly encourage chapters to incorporate Kolb’s experiential learning cycle, which includes four stages: 

• Experiencing: the initial experience 
• Reflecting: analyzing and making sense of that experience 
• Thinking: forming theories, planning, and connecting ideas 
• Acting: applying insights and testing new approaches 

Proposals should explore how academic librarians support students through these stages. Chapters included should also highlight culturally competent, accessible, and learner-centered instruction strategies. We encourage ideas beyond the examples listed above. 

To submit a proposal, please complete the proposal form by June 1, 2026, at 11:59pm ET.  

The form will require:  

• Author names, job titles, emails, and institutional affiliations  
• A working chapter title  
• An abstract up to 500 words  
• Link to a current CV or list of publications  

Timeline: 

• June 2026: Chapter proposals due  
• August 2026: Authors notified of acceptance of chapter proposals  
• January 2027: Chapter drafts due  
• April 2027: Chapter drafts returned to authors for revisions  
• July 2027: Final chapter drafts due 

Questions? Email us at ACRLexperientiallearning@ufl.edu 

Best regards, 

Brittany Kester, PhD, Education Librarian, University of Florida

Lisa Campbell, Learning and Engagement Librarian, University of Florida