Workshop Proposals
2027 IBSC Annual Conference
The Scots College
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
June 30 – July 3
Submit your proposal by December 11, 2026.
The 2027 IBSC Annual Conference, A Man for All Seasons: Formed to Flourish, will bring together educators from boys’ schools around the world for a rich exchange of ideas, research, and best practices. Hosted by The Scots College in Sydney, Australia, from June 30 to July 3, 2027, the conference will explore how schools intentionally cultivate the knowledge, character, relationships, and opportunities that enable boys to flourish in every season of life.
Workshops presented by teachers, school leaders, researchers, and practitioners are at the heart of the IBSC Annual Conference experience. They provide opportunities to share effective practices, innovative programs, and emerging research that can inspire meaningful action in boys’ schools worldwide. Through collaboration, reflection, and professional fellowship, delegates gain practical strategies and fresh perspectives that strengthen their work with boys and young men.
The conference theme challenges educators to consider what it means for boys to flourish intellectually, psychologically, physically, spiritually, ethically, and relationally. At a time when well-being is often viewed through an individualistic or technocratic lens, A Man for All Seasons: Formed to Flourish encourages a broader understanding of flourishing as something nurtured within the relationships, culture, and shared purpose of a school community.
True flourishing demands a relational and systemic perspective. Boys do not flourish in isolation. Individual growth is supported and shaped by the educational communities in which they learn and develop. This conference invites educators to examine how a well-lived life is cultivated through the everyday experiences, relationships, and opportunities that schools provide. We encourage proposals that explore flourishing across all stages of a boy’s development, from the early years through adolescence and beyond, and that address the role of both student and staff leadership in fostering thriving school communities.
We invite you to share your expertise, research, and innovative practices by submitting a workshop proposal. We welcome contributions from educators and leaders across all areas of boys’ education and encourage proposals that align with one of the conference tracks:
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Intellectual Flourishing
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Psychological Flourishing
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Physical Flourishing
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Flourishing and Formation: Character, Virtue, and Soul
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Flourishing as a Leader
Please review the workshop guidelines and submit your proposal. Thank you for contributing to this important global conversation and for helping to advance the education and well-being of boys and young men.
Your workshop proposal must include the following details:
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Workshop Title (80-character maximum, including spaces)
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Abstract (400-character maximum, including spaces)
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Description (1,000-character maximum, including spaces)
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Co-Presenter(s), if any
Note: All workshops must include at least one presenter from an IBSC member school.
Submission Deadline
Submit your workshop proposal by December 11, 2026. By January 31, 2027, IBSC will contact all individuals who submitted a workshop proposal with the status of their proposals. For all accepted submissions, IBSC reserves the right to edit the title, description, and outcomes for promotional purposes and in accordance with the IBSC style guide.
Workshops
Conference workshops run for 60 minutes. Workshop topics must focus on the conference theme and address at least one of the conference tracks:
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Intellectual Flourishing
A stream for educators to reflect and present on all aspects of academic achievement, pedagogy, and cognitive growth.
How do we create environments where boys engage in productive struggle and deep learning? This track explores the science and art of teaching boys. We are looking for workshops in areas such as explicit teaching methods; mitigating AI dependency; evaluating the pitfalls, limitations, and transformative potential of educational technology; fostering executive functioning; innovative assessment models; literacy/numeracy development; and leveraging research to build a culture of intellectual curiosity.
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Psychological Flourishing
A stream focused on mental health, emotional resilience, and neurodiversity.
Boys face unprecedented challenges in today's hyper-connected world. This track focuses on the mental and psychological dimensions of boys' education. Proposals should address topics such as anxiety management; cultivating a sense of belonging; building healthy emotional vocabularies; supporting neurodiverse learners; and strategies for counteracting the negative impacts of social media.
- Physical Flourishing
A stream dedicated to physical well-being, movement, outdoors, and athletics.
Physical vitality is critical to a boy's overall development. This track explores the connection between the body and the brain. We welcome presentations on outdoor education and risk-taking; the role of competitive and recreational sports in building resilience; integrating movement into the traditional classroom; and holistic health initiatives (such as sleep education, nutrition, and screen-time management).
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Flourishing and Formation: Character, Virtue, and Soul
A stream exploring character education, spirituality, global citizenship, and community.
To form "A Man for All Seasons" is to develop a young man of integrity, purpose, and empathy. This track is for programs and philosophies that build the "heart" of the boy. We seek workshops focused on character education frameworks; restorative justice; service-learning; developing healthy models of masculinity; peer-to-peer mentoring; and faith-based or values-based community building.
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Flourishing as a Leader
A stream for what makes great leadership in schools—for both staff and students.
Flourishing schools require flourishing leaders. This track is designed for current and aspiring leaders aiming to shape organizational culture. We invite proposals on leading academic teams; managing institutional change; building staff agency and professional development cultures; coaching methodologies; and frameworks for empowering student voice and authentic student leadership.
Workshops must demonstrate best teaching practice in the broadest sense by stimulating discussion among attendees and providing tangible, effective examples to promote the education of boys. Explain how you have enhanced and supported the learning experiences of boys and how you prepare them to face the challenges of tomorrow. Where relevant, workshops may include research that supports evidence-based practice and programs.
Workshop Format
To support the collaborative spirit of the IBSC Annual Conference, we encourage presenters to move beyond traditional lecture-style formats and design engaging, interactive workshops. Successful proposals will provide opportunities for discussion, reflection, and active participation, while offering practical strategies and meaningful takeaways that attendees can apply in their own schools and professional contexts.
Room Setup
Each workshop room will have the following standard room setup.
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Classroom seating (~25 seats)
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A/V: Wireless projection connection and sound capacity
Presenters must bring their own computer
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Whiteboard and dry-erase markers
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Internet connection
Share Your Expertise
We encourage all IBSC members to submit a workshop proposal. Every school and educator has unique experiences, programs, and practices that can contribute to the advancement of boys’ education. The IBSC Annual Conference provides an outstanding opportunity to share your expertise, engage with colleagues from around the world, and contribute to meaningful professional learning within our global community.
We thank you for sharing your knowledge, insights, and innovations with fellow educators dedicated to the education and well-being of boys and young men.
When submitting a workshop proposal, please be prepared to log in: Have your IBSC username and password ready.
Carefully read these terms and conditions for workshop presenters before submitting a proposal.
Please contact Amy Ahart, IBSC chief operating officer, at ahart@theibsc.org with any questions.