2026 Teaching Commons Conference
The Teaching Commons Conference is a free, in-person event held on campus at Paul Brest Hall that brings together people from across Stanford University for professional development, networking, and socializing around undergraduate and graduate teaching and learning.
2026 Teaching Commons Conference: Courageous Curiosity
Overview
The Teaching Commons Conference will be held in person on Friday, April 10, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Paul Brest Hall on the Stanford campus. The conference is free and all Stanford community members are invited to attend. Please note that this conference is entirely in-person.
The conference includes multiple panel discussions, remarks from campus leaders, and various concurrent sessions. Concurrent sessions include interactive workshops and lightning talks. We will also provide breakfast, lunch, and a closing reception.
Themes
The conference theme in 2026 is courageous curiosity, a bold, hopeful, and inquiring response to current challenges in higher education.
- Inquiry with Courage: elevating a sense of openness, curiosity, and exploration at the core of our mission as instructors and learners.
- Hopefulness and Compassion: meeting the future together as instructors and students, encouraging and supporting a culture of shared understanding and discovery.
Call for Proposals
All Stanford community members involved in teaching and learning are invited to submit proposals for Lightning Talks at the Teaching Commons Conference on April 10, 2026. Visit the Call for Proposals page for details.
Schedule of events
Location and parking
The conference takes place at Paul Brest Hall, located at 555 Salvatierra Walk, Stanford, CA 94305. Food will be served in the Rehnquist Courtyard outside of Paul Brest Hall.
The closest parking is at Wilbur Field Garage, 560 Wilbur Way, Stanford, CA 94305.
Contact us
Questions? Problems? Requests? Email us at TeachingCommons@stanford.edu.