Call for Engagement – Research Abstracts
Theme: The Courage to Trust: Nurturing Peace and Resilience through Montessori Education
Date: 27–29 March 2026
Location: Riga, Latvia
Montessori Europe warmly invites researchers to submit proposals for the presentation of scholarly work in the field of Montessori education and other child-centred pedagogies at the Montessori Europe 2026 Congress in Riga, Latvia.
Background
Montessori Europe is committed to promoting research-based practice and fostering interdisciplinary dialogue across educational communities. The Congress provides a platform for established and emerging researchers to share their insights, engage with colleagues, and reflect on current questions within the Montessori context and beyond.
To honour this commitment, Friday, 27 March 2026 will open space for sharing formal findings, work in progress, and exploratory insights in a collegial and supportive environment.
We welcome contributions that speak to this year’s theme:
“The Courage to Trust: Nurturing Peace and Resilience through Montessori Education.”
This may include (but is not limited to) topics related to:
Trust in the educator-child relationship
Resilience in Montessori environments
Peace education and its pedagogical expressions
Observation, care, and emotional development
Ecopedagogy and sustainability
Social justice, equity, and inclusion in Montessori practice
Adolescent and community-based research
Submission Formats
Individual Research Papers
- Abstract of up to 500 words (including references)
- Suitable for working papers, completed studies, practice-based research, or theoretical reflection
- Accepted individual research papers will be allocated a 20-minute presentation slot
Symposia
- A coordinated session of 3–4 presentations on a shared theme
- Accepted symposia will be allocated a 90-minute presentation slot
- Submit a combined abstract of up to 1,000 words, including:
- A brief introduction to the symposium’s overarching theme
- Individual abstracts for each contributing paper (3–4 in total)
Submission Requirements
Your submission (PDF format) should include:
Title of the paper or symposium
Abstract (as per format above)
Contact details:
-
- First and last name of author(s)
- Institutional affiliation(s) and country
- Academic/professional rank (if applicable)
- Email address(es)
Submit your proposal via email to: office@montessori-europe.net
Subject line: “Riga Congress 2026 Research Abstract Submission”
Participation and Support
All submitted research proposals will undergo a double-blind peer review process to ensure academic quality and relevance. Accepted presenters will be invited to deliver an individual presentation of up to 20 minutes during the Research Presentation.
In accordance with professional academic standards, researchers will not receive financial remuneration for presenting their work. However, accepted presenters will be offered a reduced-rate registration fee for participation in the full Congress programme (Saturday and Sunday).
To further support and promote researchers, all accepted contributions will be featured in the Montessori Europe media channels, including the newsletter and social media, both prior to and following the Congress. Presenters will also be invited to prepare a digital research poster, which will be shared electronically with Congress participants.
In addition, we are currently working toward the post-Congress publication of selected papers in a special issue of a peer-reviewed scholarly journal. Further information about this opportunity will be announced in due course.
Key Dates
Abstract Submission Deadline
08
August 2025
Notification of Acceptance
01
September 2025
Submission of Researcher Agreement
15
September 2025
Submission of Research Poster
12
January 2026
Congress Dates
27–29
March 2026
Questions?
For academic questions, please contact: Dr. Jarosław Jendza – jarek.jendza@montessori-europe.net
For general enquiries, contact: office@montessori-europe.net
We look forward to receiving your insightful and thought-provoking proposals to deepen our collective understanding of how Montessori education can nurture trust, resilience, and peace in a complex world.