The National Council for Preservation Education (NCPE) invites paper and session submissions for its Annual Conference and Membership Meeting, which will take place on September 25, 2026 at the University of Maryland at College Park.  NCPE is dedicated to advancing preservation education, and this conference will provide an opportunity for scholars to present and discuss innovative research, teaching methods, curriculum development, and the evolving role of preservation education in preparing future professionals.

We welcome proposals for papers or sessions that address, but are not limited to, the following topics:

• • The 250^th Anniversary of the nation’s founding
  • Insights into the origins, history, and development of preservation practice
  • Borders and boundaries in preservation theory
  • Playing well with others: How preservation connects with allied fields
  • Intangible Cultural Heritage, its recognition, preservation, and development
  • Historic preservation and resilience
  • Historic preservation advocacy
  • The role of historic preservation in the housing market
  • The use of technology and digital tools inside and outside of the classroom
  • Interdisciplinary and community-engaged teaching models
  • Community-based learning and public engagement 
  • Expanding access and inclusivity in preservation education and practice
  • Challenges and opportunities in online and hybrid preservation programs
  • Expanding preservation education to K-12 audiences
  • Teaching preservation trades 
  • Global perspectives on preservation
  • Legal and policy issues in preservation

Submissions are encouraged from educators, researchers, and practitioners involved in historic preservation education at all levels.  Relevant submissions from allied fields, including history, architecture, planning, archaeology, geography, law and other fields are encouraged.

Submission Guidelines:

Abstract Submission Deadline EXTENDED to June 30, 2026

Abstracts should be 300 words or less and include the paper’s title, author(s), institutional affiliation(s), and contact information.

Abstracts should include at least three references so that reviewers can better place the work in the literature.

Submit abstracts to douglas.appler@uky.edu with the subject line: NCPE 2026 Annual Conference Submission.

Presenters will be notified of acceptance by July 15.

Full Paper Submission Deadline: September 15

Full papers should be between fifteen and twenty pages in length.

Publication Opportunity:

Conference papers may be considered for publication in Preservation Education & Research (PER), NCPE’s peer-reviewed journal. Authors interested in submitting to PER will be able to expand, refine, and submit their papers for peer review following the conference.

For questions or more information, please contact Douglas Appler at douglas.appler@uky.edu.