HUCER 2026

Educational Innovation and Tradition in the Digital Age

Obuda University, Budapest, 28–29 May 2026

The teaching and learning processes of the 21st century have entered new dimensions through digitalisation, digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and networked learning environments. Teaching and learning are undergoing transformation: research-based approaches, creative problem-solving, algorithmic thinking, and data-driven educational innovations all contribute to reshaping pedagogical practice. The aim of the conference is to present and discuss the latest trends in teaching and learning within a historical context
and to support the practical application of research findings in the digital age.

Key Topics of the Conference:

  • Research-based education and learning development.
  • Pedagogical innovations and technological solutions to support learning.
  • Artificial intelligence and digital ethics in education: debates and dilemmas.
  • Data-driven pedagogy and learning analytics.
  • Challenges of digital learning in the digital age.
  • Developing learner creativity, self-regulation, and motivation.
  • Emerging learning environments: hybrid, online, and extended-reality education.
  • Changing teacher roles and competencies.
  • Youth and other vulnerable groups, social vulnerability, and education.
  • Equal access, inclusion, and social justice in digital education.
  • Educational ecosystems and interdisciplinary learning models.
  • Environmental education and sustainability in service of education.

These topics address all levels and actors of education, including formal, non-formal, and informal learning. The conference aims to build a bridge between education, research, and innovation by exploring new pathways that shape the future of learning and reflect on emerging debates and dilemmas.
The conference is open to all professionals and stakeholders in education, from researchers to practicing teachers and policymakers, providing an opportunity to share innovative teaching and learning approaches and engage in collaborative reflection.

Organizer: Hungarian Educational Research Association (HERA)
Co-organizer: Obuda University
Additional Organizers: KultúrÁsz Public Benefit Association

Conference Information:

Abstracts will be collected, reviewed, and published in an electronic abstract book. The conference languages are Hungarian and English. Please prepare your abstract in the language in which you intend to present. During the conference days, the following materials will be available on the hera.org.hu website:
HuCER 2026 Programme Booklet
HuCER 2026 Abstract Booklet
The abstract booklet will receive an ISBN number after the conference and will include only the abstracts of presentations/posters actually presented by their authors (in the case of multi-authored presentations, at least one author must present).

Planned Programme:

  • HERA General Assembly
  • Welcome address of the HERA Presidium
  • Plenary lectures
  • Award ceremonies for the Báthory Award, HERA Excellence Award, and
  • Publication Awards
  • Section sessions aligned with the HERA research divisions, in Hungarian and English

We invite abstracts in the thematic areas of the HERA research divisions: https://hera.org.hu/hera/szakosztalyok

Presenters who have applied for ECER 2026 may also present their work in English at this conference.

Formal Requirements:

Applicants must submit an abstract of 2,000–5,000 characters, including 3–5 keywords, summarizing their topic. Mandatory components and evaluation criteria of the abstract:

  • justification of topic selection; clarity of theoretical framework; presentation of
    prior research
  • clear definition of research aims; novelty of research questions/hypotheses
  • appropriateness of methodology
  • soundness and novelty of results
  • theoretical and practical significance
  • clarity, coherence, and linguistic correctness
  • accurate listing of references

The organizing committee will decide, based on the number of applicants in each division, the relevance of the topic to the conference theme, and the abstract’s score, whether the abstract will be accepted as an oral presentation or a poster. Approximately 2/3 of submissions will be accepted as presentations, 1/3 as posters. Among posters, Best Poster Awards will be given. Besides scientific quality, creative, visually appealing, and innovative design will be key criteria. Call for the award: https://hera.org.hu/best-poster-dij
Each person may be involved in up to three abstracts but may appear as first author on only one. Violating this rule may lead to exclusion from the conference. Each abstract may be submitted to only one division.

Online application form: https://konferencia.org.hu/regisztracio

Questions: info@hera.org.hu

Submission Deadlines:

Presenters (lecture/poster): 30 March 2026
Participants without presentation: 16 March – 30 April 2026

Participation Fees
HERA members are eligible for a discounted fee if they have paid their 3,000 Ft/year membership fee (payable only by private individuals; one person may pay for multiple members with names noted). No invoice is issued for membership fee payments. Only those who apply for HERA membership by 15 April and are approved on the 24 April board meeting are eligible for the discount.

HERA member fee: 20,000 Ft/person
Non-member fee: 30,000 Ft/person
For company invoices (e.g., joint payment for multiple attendees), please contact: heraevkonyvek@gmail.com. Pre‑issued invoices are only provided for groups of at least 5 people. All others are asked to pay in cash on site. Bank transfer deadline for group invoices: 8 May 2026
The call and registration link may be freely forwarded to colleagues and students.

HERA Yearbook

Authors whose presentations are accepted and delivered may be invited to submit a full paper for the HERA Yearbook, published after the conference. Manuscripts undergo a review by the division head, and a blind peer review. The editorial board determines publication based on reviews and the number of submissions. Invited authors will receive detailed submission guidelines separately.

Scientific Committee

  • Chair: Erika Juhász, PhD, Head of Department, Associate Professor (University of Debrecen), President of HERA
  • On-site Chair: György Molnár, PhD habil, Professor (Obuda University), Co-chair of HERA ICT Division
  • On-site Co-chair: Monika Pogátsnik, PhD habil, Associate Professor, Vice Dean for Education (Obuda University), HERA Publication Coordinator
  • Tamás Kozma, DSc, Professor Emeritus (University of Debrecen), Founding President of HERA
  • Csaba Jancsák, PhD habil, Associate Professor (University of Szeged), Vice President of HERA
  • Julianna Mrázik, PhD habil, Head of Department, Associate Professor (University of Pécs), Vice President of HERA
  • Rita Kattein-Pornói, PhD, Assistant Professor (Budapest University of Technology and Economics), HERA Division Coordinator
  • Gábor Erdei, PhD, Assistant Professor (University of Debrecen), HERA International Coordinator
  • István Németh, PhD, Associate Professor, Vice Dean for Research (Obuda University)
  • Ferenc Makó, PhD, Assistant Professor, Head of Department (Obuda University)
  • Attila Mészáros, PhD habil, Associate Professor (Obuda University)
  • Vilmos Vass, PhD habil, Associate Professor (Obuda University)
  • and the Heads of HERA Divisions: https://hera.org.hu/hera/szakosztalyok

Organizing Committee

  • Chair: György Molnár, PhD habil, Professor, Leader of Teacher Training, Division Head (Obuda University), Co-chair of HERA ICT Division
  • Co-chair: Monika Pogátsnik, PhD habil, Associate Professor, Vice Dean for Education (Obuda University), HERA Publication Coordinator
  •  Secretary: Zsolt Huszti, PhD (Obuda University) Márta Takács-Miklósi, PhD, Assistant Professor (University of Debrecen), HERA General Secretary
  • Katinka Dancs, PhD, Assistant Professor (University of Szeged), HERA Organizing Secretary
  • Dóra Szabó, Doctoral Candidate (University of Debrecen), HERA Communications Coordinator
  • Nikoletta Pete, Vice President (KultúrÁsz Public Benefit Association) Ildikó Holik, PhD habil, Associate Professor (Obuda University)
  • Ibolya Tomory, PhD, Assistant Professor (Obuda University)
  • Katalin Nagy, Assistant Lecturer (Obuda University)
  • Ildikó Lábasné Grega, Administrative Officer (Obuda University)
  • With contributions from the staff of Obuda University and the HERA–ÓE member
  • organization.