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© 2025 Interior Design Educators Council
Share Your Insights at IDEC 2026
The Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC) invites educators and practitioners from around the globe to submit abstracts that explore and celebrate all facets of interior design, its teaching, and scholarship, including history, theory, practice, pedagogy, interdisciplinary collaboration, as well as diversity, equity & inclusion, social & environmental stewardship, or other topic/s of current and/or continuing relevance.
Authors are invited to submit creative and/or scholarly abstracts that engage various modes of inquiry. However, all submissions are expected to contain original scholarship or ideas not previously presented at scholarly venues, including regional and previous IDEC conferences. Abstracts are anonymously reviewed by qualified reviewers who score submissions to determine presentations for the IDEC 2026 Annual Conference to be held in Chicago, IL, on March 16-18, 2026.
The IDEC 2026 Annual Conference theme is Make Good Design Decisions. Conference keynote speakers and select panels and roundtables will focus on strategic ways to make effective design choices. Submissions may address the conference theme or any other interior design-related topic. We encourage all submission topics and have various Content Areas to choose from:
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- Globalism & Multiculturalism (including Study Abroad)
- History & Theory
- Human Centric
- Ecological & Environmental Stewardship
- Technology
- Atmospheric Conditions
- Open Content Area(please specify)
IDEC welcomes and supports new voices. We encourage graduate students, early career educators, and practitioners to contribute. We also look forward to the middle-career and veteran educators’ submissions.
Deadlines and Schedule
September 24, 2025 | Abstract submission deadline. Submission process must be completed no later than 11:59 pm Pacific Standard Time. |
November 19, 2025 | Authors notified of abstract acceptance/rejection with reviewer scores/comments. |
December 10, 2025 | Deadline for authors to confirm intent to present. |
January 14, 2026 | Schedule of Presentations provided to authors. |
February 11, 2026 | Early Bird Conference Registration ends. |
March 16-18, 2026 | IDEC 2026 Annual Conference held in Chicago, Illinois |
Scholarship Categories
All abstracts submitted for review must be identified by one of the categories outlined below:
- Creative Scholarship
- Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SOTL)
- Scholarship of Design Research (SODR)
- Scholarship of Design Practice (SODP)
- Teaching and Learning (TL) in a round
- Workshop
- Spark Session
Creative Scholarship (CS)
Creative Scholarship is a form of research inquiry that generates original works, contributing to and expanding the boundaries of design practice and/or the disciplinary knowledge of interior design and its related fields. It emphasizes exploration through materiality, making processes, and the experiential qualities of built environments and objects—both physical and digital. Distinct from the Scholarship of Design Practice (SODP), which focuses on case studies, Creative Scholarship explores a broad spectrum of built objects, environments, and digital experiences.
Creative Scholarship abstracts seek both finished work and works-in-progress of interior design, architecture, furniture, lighting, textile design, product design, sculpture, installation (permanent or temporary), performance, virtual reality/extended reality/augmented reality, and/or interactive design. Submissions should discuss a larger design idea or notion, and clarify their relationship to the interior design or interiority.
Submissions should include research or theoretical positioning of the work in a larger context of creative works by others. Entries are encouraged to include visual documentation information (plans/sections/elevations, diagrams, process images, etc.) as well as images of the built work and/or work-in-progress (models, material explorations, proof of concepts, etc.) appropriate to works of the interior, architecture, furniture, and/or product design. Keep in mind, case studies of executed permanent interior and architectural design may be best aligned for submission in the Scholarship of Design Practice category.
Any Creative Scholarship submission of any format must include an appendix. Without an appendix, the submission will be disqualified and not reviewed. Please refer to the submission requirements below for appendix requirements.
SOTL, SODR, and SODP SCHOLARSHIP
Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SOTL)
Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) abstracts should highlight relevant teaching practices, projects, curricula, or pedagogical approaches within interior design. Abstracts must identify the pedagogical topic, question, or intent; clearly articulate the instructional approach; and detail the development process or teaching methods. They should also present student work, outcomes, or learning, and offer insights into teaching and learning, including potential impacts on curriculum.
Submissions are expected to reflect scholarship that has reached preliminary conclusions or implications suitable for sharing with a broader audience. Work should be complete at the time of submission, and this should be evident in the abstract. SoTL projects that are still in progress or preliminary stages should be submitted as posters.
Any SoTL submission must include an appendix. Without an appendix, the submission will be disqualified and not reviewed. Please refer to the submission requirements below for appendix requirements.
Scholarship of Design Research (SODR)
Scholarship of Design Research (SoDR) abstracts explore theoretical, historical, or practical aspects of the interior design discipline in both practice and education. Scholarship of Design Research abstracts should define the question or problem explored, place the question in context, present the method of investigation, approach, or position, as well as highlight the argument or conclusions of the investigation, and identify an essential contribution to the discipline of interior design.
Any SoDR submission must include an appendix. Without an appendix, the submission will be disqualified and not reviewed. Please refer to the submission requirements below for appendix requirements.
Scholarship of Design Practice (SODP)
Scholarship of Design Practice (SoDP) abstracts delve into the dynamic interplay between theory and practice within the field of interior design. Not to be misunderstood with the Creative Scholarship, this platform welcomes both educators and practitioners to submit case studies or firm-based research that encapsulate the driving forces, context, and objectives of their design projects or material research and development. Emphasizing the significance of these endeavors, the abstracts should aim to summarize the most pertinent issues, challenges, or dilemmas encountered throughout the process. It should share the paths explored, offer relevant frameworks, data, analysis, insights, and findings, and propose knowledge that can be applied in various contexts. We highly encourage practitioners to apply.
Any SoDP submission must include an appendix. Without an appendix, the submission will be disqualified and not reviewed. Please refer to the submission requirements below for appendix requirements.
FORMATS for Creative Scholarship, SOTL, SODR, and SODP
All abstracts submitted for review must align with one of the formats described below.
Each presentation format has unique characteristics that support particular types of information or processes. It is encouraged that these characteristics be considered when preparing abstracts for review.
Please note: Creative Scholarship may only be submitted within the Presentation or Poster formats.
Presentations
Presentations provide an opportunity for the formal presentation of scholarly work. This format is best suited for the scholarship that has reached conclusions and/or implications that can be shared and that can elicit questions and comments. Presentations are 20 minutes in length, including time for discussion. When preparing a presentation, please plan for and leave time for the Q&A session. See rubrics for evaluation criteria. Presentations that are not recommended for acceptance may be considered for acceptance in the poster category.
Panels
Panels encourage open discussion and opinions. Up to two moderators may submit the abstract proposal and invite up to five additional participants. No panelist names should appear in the abstract, though their names should be listed as co-presenters at the time of submission (this facilitates conflict-free scheduling). The topic proposed in the abstract should be one that would benefit from diverse opinions and open discussion. Panel presentations are 60 minutes in length, including time for presentation and discussion. See rubrics for evaluation criteria.
No appendix is required for any category with a “panel” submission.
Per IDEC policy, each panelist is required to be registered for the conference.
Posters
Posters utilize a graphic format intended to foster one-on-one dialogue between the presenter and conference attendees. This category is optimal for a scholarship that is preliminary, ongoing, or will benefit from informal presentation and discussion. Abstracts submitted in this category must include a description of/or information concerning the graphic presentation being proposed (medium, format, etc.). The poster must be 36” H X 42” W. Posters will be presented in an open forum at a designated time(s) during the conference. At least one presenter must be present during the designated time slot. Therefore, only one poster submission per person will be accepted. See rubrics for evaluation criteria.
Any abstract submitted in the poster category (SOTL, SODR, SODP, or Creative Scholarship) must have an appendix.
Graduate Student Submissions
Graduate students are encouraged to submit within the poster category. However, graduate students may submit individually or participate with a sponsoring faculty member in any of the above formats. Graduate students will identify their status on the online submission form.
Note: Each non-member student submitting as the lead author must upload documentation to verify their current student status. Documentation can be either 1) an unofficial transcript for the current semester or 2) a signed letter by a faculty member on the school’s letterhead verifying the student’s status.
Other Submission Categories
Teaching and Learning (TL) In The Round
We invite dynamic, hands-on submissions for Teaching and Learning (TL) in the Round, a highly interactive and participatory session format. Presenters are encouraged to submit projects, assignments, or planned learning activities developed and facilitated by an Interior Design educator, with the intent to advance creativity, experimentation, and effectiveness in the teaching and learning of Interior Design.
We especially welcome innovative teaching strategies that embrace current and emerging issues in design education—such as sustainability, equity and inclusion, material innovation, digital workflows, sensory experience, or interdisciplinary collaboration. Abstract descriptions should clearly define how the teaching method applies to Interior Design education, and how it fosters active engagement, reflective learning, or transformative educational outcomes.
New Enhancements for TL in the Round Submissions:
To further elevate the quality, usability, and reach of the teaching methods shared, this year we encourage the inclusion of:
- Adaptability Guides: Brief outlines or matrices showing how the activity could be adapted for varying course levels (e.g., first year vs. capstone), formats (online, hybrid, in-person), or institutional contexts.
- “Grab-and-Go” Resource Kits: Provide turnkey materials (e.g., handouts, rubrics, activity cards, templates) that other educators can directly implement or modify.
- Gamified or Experiential Learning Elements: Submissions that use simulation, role-play, or game-based learning formats to enhance student engagement and outcomes.
- Tech-Infused Methods: Incorporate accessible digital tools (AR/VR, collaborative platforms, mobile apps, etc.) that extend the learning beyond traditional classroom settings.
- Reflective Practice Prompts: Include strategies to help students self-assess or reflect on their creative process, identity, or design decisions.
- Interdisciplinary or Community-Engaged Learning: Encourage projects that connect students with real-world stakeholders, other disciplines, or communities outside the classroom.
Presentation Expectations:
Accepted proposals will:
- Showcase innovative teaching methods with clear relevance to Interior Design education.
- Include examples of student work to demonstrate outcomes.
- Be highly interactive, with digital and/or hard copy media encouraged.
- Offer tangible takeaways for adoption in other classrooms.
- Include an appendix with detailed support materials (required).
Each 1-hour TL in the Round session includes three rotating 20-minute presentations at separate round tables. Presenters will repeat their session three times for different groups of attendees. Presenters must bring their own laptops. Please note: no projectors or power outlets will be provided, so plan accordingly.
Submission Requirements: To ensure an anonymous peer review, please do not include names, institutions, or identifying information in the abstract, appendix, file names, or content (including student work). Entries that violate this policy will be disqualified.
Note: Submissions must include an appendix—without one, proposals will not be reviewed.
Workshop
Workshops are interactive sessions intended to provide participants with skills, knowledge, and experiences that extend beyond the conference. These sessions focus on exploring specific topics collaboratively or offering educational tutorials on a particular theme. IDEC invites you to propose a workshop for Chicago’s 2026 Annual IDEC Conference. Workshops can be proposed by either individuals or teams, with one person designated as the lead organizer.
The duration of workshops can vary, ranging from full-day (8-hour) and half-day (4-hour) sessions to 90-minute concurrent sessions. They can incorporate various formats, such as presentations, working sessions, or tours, to engage the intended audience effectively. While Interior Design Educators are the primary audience for the Annual Meeting, we encourage proposals that might attract part-time faculty, practitioners, and students across the discipline. Your workshop should aim to offer an open platform for discussing cutting-edge topics and methodologies and exploring their potential applications in the future of the interior design discipline. The IDEC Board will review the proposals for acceptance.
Workshop Submission Requirements are different than the other categories, please refer to these guidelines below for the workshop call:
- Title (75 characters maximum)
- Abstract (1500 characters maximum): A summary defining the purpose, goals, outcomes, and intended audience for this workshop. Please note: This will be used for workshop promotion and the conference program.
- Description (2000 characters maximum): Outline the workshop format or means of engaging the audience, the topics covered, the intended audience, and the outcomes that audience members will take away. Submitters must indicate if the proposal is a full-day (8 hours), half-day (4 hours), or session (90 minutes) in this section.
- Budget: Specify the registration costs for members, non-members, and students attending this workshop. Additionally, outline expenses for facilitation resources (e.g., large-format paper, markers) and detail the required space and technology (be specific about the technological needs, for example, AV needs, devices, wifi, etc.). Indicate how much IDEC staff member time will be needed.
- References: All submissions require references in APA or MLA format, with a maximum of 5 references.
Spark Session
Leave a lasting impression on your audience by sparking new ways of thinking about familiar topics. The wildcard “spark sessions” are reserved for presentations that break away from traditional formats to showcase unexpected, creative approaches to interior design education. It’s a chance to surprise, engage, and experiment with innovative methods! Live demonstrations, multimedia integration, storytelling, unique angles, real-time collaboration, and risk-taking can all be involved. The wildcard presentations will be 30, 60, or 90 minutes in length, including time for discussion. When preparing a presentation, please plan for and leave time for the discussion. See rubrics for evaluation criteria. The IDEC Board will review the proposals for acceptance.
No appendix is required for this category.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Entries that do not adhere to all submission guidelines will be disqualified and will not be reviewed. To assure an annonymous review, submissions (abstracts, appendix, files, and file names) must NOT include author(s) name(s), institutional affiliation(s), course number(s), or other forms of identification in the image or file names (including photographs, curriculum vitae, or assignments in the appendix).
All submissions must be made using the online submission portal, which will provide further instructions regarding contact information, how to submit an abstract, and other relevant information. Only abstracts submitted through the online process will be accepted for review.
Duplicate submissions to multiple presentation formats (e.g., the same abstract submitted to the poster and presentation category; the same abstract submitted to the Creative Scholarship and SOTL category, etc.), another conference or venue (including IDEC symposia), and abstracts that have been published or presented previously are not allowed and will not be accepted for review.
DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2025.
