Redefining Educational Barriers: Misconceptions, Roadblocks, and Struggles

The AGYA Working Group Arab and German Education invites interested AGYA members and alumni and academic communities of the University of Bamberg to its international interdisciplinary conference “Redefining Educational Barriers: Misconceptions, Roadblocks, and Struggles”, taking place at the University of Bamberg from 4-6 December. Exploring educational barriers in Germany and the Arab world, the event will bring together researchers, educators, students, and practitioners to examine current challenges in the field of education, exchange perspectives, and develop constructive approaches.

• Misconceptions and academic integrity: Educational assumptions, misconduct, and teaching and learning in the age of AI.
• Graduate education and its challenges: Structural, methodological, institutional, and psychological barriers, including supervision and academic progression.
• Minority groups and educational inclusion: Access, belonging, cultural identity, and the experiences of underrepresented communities.

We invite applications for one or more roles: presenting a paper, moderating a panel, facilitating an interactive workshop, delivering a keynote, joining a podcast conversation, and participating in interviews or surveys. Applicants may indicate multiple preferred roles. Spots will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and final assignments depend on available program slots.

The call primarily welcomes current AGYA members, AGYA alumni, and the academic communities of Arabic Studies (Arabistik), the Institute of Oriental Studies (Institut für Orientalistik), and related fields at the University of Bamberg. External applicants may also be considered when their contributions fit the conference themes. Participants traveling from abroad must hold valid travel documents and, where required, a visa or residence permit allowing entry to Germany.

Please submit a 200–300-word abstract or statement of interest outlining your proposed contribution, its relevance to the conference, and your preferred role(s). Include your name and institutional affiliation (if applicable). Applicants for moderation or podcast/interview participation may instead explain their relevant experience and motivation.

• Deadline: 15 November 2026
• Submission email: noranamin[at]cu.edu.eg, abdulsatar.sultan[at]cue.edu.krd, corinna.assmann[at]as.uni-heidelberg.de; CC: jreiche[at]bbaw.de, masetto.bonitz[at]bbaw.de

Submissions will be reviewed for thematic relevance and program fit. Selected participants will receive further information about arrangements and scheduling.

Full Text of the Call:

Redefining Educational Barriers: Misconceptions, Roadblocks, and Struggles (PDF)