Conference 101
Embedded Files
WHO
WHO
Who is this conference for?
Who is this conference for?
Anyone passionate about improving higher education through Lean thinking, continuous improvement, and collaboration. Whether you're an experienced practitioner, completely new to Lean, an academic, professional staff member, leader, or student, you'll find practical ideas, inspiring stories, and a welcoming global community. This conference is designed to bring together people from across higher education to learn from one another—no matter where they are in the world.
WHAT
WHAT
What is Lean into the Challenge?
What is Lean into the Challenge?
Lean into the Challenge is Lean HE's 24-hour FREE(!) virtual global conference. Rather than asking everyone to fit into one time zone, the conference follows the sun, offering presentations, workshops, discussions, and networking opportunities throughout a full 24-hour period. Expect practical case studies, innovative ideas, interactive sessions, and plenty of opportunities to connect with colleagues facing similar challenges across the globe.
WHERE
WHERE
Where does it take place?
Where does it take place?
Everywhere! The conference is entirely online, so you can join from your office, your home, your favourite coffee shop—or wherever you have an internet connection. Sessions are designed to make participation easy regardless of your location, and our Global Staff Room provides a space to have conversations before, during, and after the conference.
WHEN
WHEN
When is the conference?
When is the conference?
The conference begins on 28 October 2026 at 12:00 UTC and runs continuously for 24 hours. This unique format allows participants from every region of the world to join sessions at times that suit them. Whether you're attending for an hour, half a day, or attempting the full 24-hour experience, there's something happening around the clock.
When does the call for proposals open?
It already is! Proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis and we anticipate closing this in mid-August. Even if you haven't fully flushed out your session, we'd love to hear about it. The link can be found on the Home page.
When does registration open?
Once we have more of the session schedules confirmed, we'll let you know!
Did you know?
Did you know?
We chose the last week of October for more than just familiarity. October 28 falls in the one-week sweet spot when Europe has switched back to standard time, but North America hasn't yet—making the time difference just a little friendlier for our global community.
HOW
HOW
How do I get involved?
How do I get involved?
There's more than one way to be part of Lean into the Challenge. Whether you'd like to present, volunteer, host a local watch party, or simply attend, everyone has a place in our global community. Start by jumping back to the Home page and clicking on the staying in touch button. That way we can share information with you about decide how you'd like to take part.
How do I submit a proposal?
How do I submit a proposal?
Have a story to tell or a practical idea to share? We welcome presentations, workshops, case studies, and interactive sessions from across the higher education sector. The Call for Proposals includes everything you need to know about themes, submission guidelines, and key dates.
How do I register to attend?
How do I register to attend?
Once registration opens, secure your place and begin planning your own conference experience. Attendance is free, but registering ensures you'll receive updates, joining instructions, and access to conference resources.
How do I find more about the Speakers and Presenters?
How do I find more about the Speakers and Presenters?
Once we've finalized the schedule and speakers we'll post about it here. Read speaker profiles, browse session topics, and start building your personalised schedule. With sessions running across 24 hours, you can choose the presentations that work best for your interests—and your time zone.
How do I connect with people?
How do I connect with people?
Why attend alone? Bring colleagues together by hosting a local watch party or conference hub at your institution or in your local city. Whether it's a handful of colleagues sharing coffee between sessions or a full-day viewing event, local hubs are a great way to combine global learning with local conversations. If you're interested in finding people to connect with, there will be plenty of ways to do so in the Global Staff Room. Check it out!
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse