Commission on Policy: Culture, Education and Media
“Exploring Music Education through Political and Apolitical Lenses in a Changing World”
July 20-24, 2026 | University of Toronto, St. George Campus, Canada
Submission Deadline: October 31, 2025
Call for Submissions
The Commission on Policy: Culture, Education and Media invites scholars, educators, policymakers, and practitioners from around the globe to submit proposals on a broad range of policy topics.
We invite proposals on any policy-related topic in music education, including but not limited to:
- Advocacy, equity and accessibility
- Governance and sustainable practice
- Technology, digitalization and AI in music education
- Global frameworks such as UNESCO’s Arts and Cultural Education guidelines
- Political and apolitical lenses that explore significant topics in music education
Submission Types
| Type | Abstract Limit | Duration | Max Presenters | Max Authors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Spoken Paper | 400 words + 1800-3000 word paper | 25 minutes | 1-2 | Unlimited |
| Symposia | 800 words | 60-90 minutes | 3-6 | 3-6 |
| Lightning Talks & Posters | 400 words | 7 minutes | 1-2 | 1-2 |
| Roundtables | 400 words | 20 minutes | 1 | 1 |
Submission Guidelines
Full Spoken Papers
Paper presenters will be allocated 25 minutes to present their papers. Papers will be presented in groups of three based upon similarity of topics, followed by 50 minutes of discussion.
Requirements:
- Must report recently completed research or projects contributing to policy understanding in music education
- Must be submitted in English
- Complete paper must be 1800-3000 words (excluding abstract and references)
- Include tables and figures to enhance readability
- Must be submitted anonymously (no identifying information)
Template includes:
- Title of the proposal
- Abstract (up to 400 words)
- Five keywords in alphabetical order
- Full paper (1800-3000 words)
- Acknowledgements (if any)
- References
📄 Download Template: Full Paper Template (PDF)
Symposia
Symposia consist of 3-6 spoken papers led by a panel chair. We particularly welcome panels aligned with the commission theme. Duration is generally 60-90 minutes with additional discussion time.
Requirements:
- Panel chair submits on behalf of all presenters
- Cannot contain names of panelists or convenor
- Limited to 800 words total
- Must identify all presenters in application (not submission)
📄 Download Template: Symposia Template (PDF)
Lightning Talks & Posters
Lightning talks (7 minutes) introduce policy research topics, followed by in-depth poster discussions. Our lightning talks should focus upon placing your research within the conference theme: Music Education Through Political and/or Apolitical Lenses.
Key Features:
- Concise & Focused – One main idea or key takeaways
- Fast-paced – Get to the point quickly, maintain high energy
- Engaging & Memorable – Spark curiosity and discussion
- Minimal Visuals – Simple, highly visual slides
📄 Download Template: Lightning Talk/Poster Template (PDF)
Roundtables
Present initiatives demonstrating analysis or implementation of policy-related projects. Can be research-based, practice-based, or combination. Presented as moderated discussions between educators and attendees. Duration is 20 minutes.
📄 Template: Roundtable template will be provided when submission portal opens.
Important Policies
Multiple Submissions
- Maximum submissions per author: Two abstracts
- Originality required: No duplicate submissions to other conferences
- Anonymous review: All submissions must exclude author identification
Publication Pathways
- All accepted abstracts included in Conference Proceedings
- All accepted titles appear in Conference Program
- All accepted full papers published in Conference Proceedings
- Pathway to World Conference: All accepted abstracts eligible for poster presentation at 37th ISME World Conference, Montreal 2026
Key Dates
| Abstract Submission Deadline | October 31, 2025 |
| Result Notification | TBA |
| Registration Opens | TBA |
| Pre-Conference Seminar | July 20-24, 2026 |
Submission Process
How to Submit:
- Download the appropriate template above
- Prepare your submission following guidelines exactly
- Ensure all identifying information is removed
- Submit through the official ISME submission portal (link TBA)
- Receive confirmation email
⚠️ Remember: All submissions must be in English and completely anonymized for double-blind review. Include up to 5 keywords in alphabetical order with all submissions.
Contact Information
Policy Commission Co-Chairs:
Dr. Tuulikki Laes: tuulikki.laes@uniarts.fi
Dr. Daniel Hellman: danielhellman@missouristate.edu
Submission Questions:
Email: comms@isme.org
Website: www.isme.org
We look forward to receiving your submissions and welcoming you to Toronto in 2026!