‘The Rhythm of Revolution’ at EAIE Glasgow 2026

In 2026, the international higher education community will gather in Glasgow, Scotland, for the 36th Annual EAIE Conference and Exhibition. We are thrilled to return to a city renowned for its resilience and rich cultural heritage, which provides the perfect backdrop for exploring potential futures for our sector.  

The Rhythm of Revolution 

Consider the state of our world. From all perspectives, there’s a lot to be concerned about, but now is not the time to sit idly by when there’s so much to be done. Revolutions begin by questioning the status quo, so what partnerships and collaborations can we forge that will better the world? What messages do we want to convey? What do we embrace, and what do we unlearn?

As higher education professionals, you know that change is possible, but it requires a clear vision, the courage to challenge convention and the collective will to act. That is why the theme for the 2026 EAIE Conference and Exhibition is ‘The Rhythm of Revolution’, a call to tune into the momentum of transformation and to help shape its direction with purpose and care. 

In higher education, where knowledge meets possibility, we have a unique role to play in this rhythm of change. This theme invites us to reflect on our responsibilities as educators.

A flourishing city 

What better place to do this work than in the unapologetically original city of Glasgow? A place brimming with heart, spirit and a revolutionary history, where we can put our ears to the ground and find the rhythm to move forward. Glasgow is a city that has continually reinvented itself, through industry, music and science, keeping its finger on the pulse of change. Once a key player in the Industrial Revolution, it was renowned for its shipbuilding, engineering and manufacturing industry. The rapid growth during this period brought challenges such as overcrowding, poverty and inequality, but eventually sparked a powerful workers’ movement fighting for their rights, public education and social reform. The legacy of this movement is still felt today in the city’s resilience and forward-looking attitude towards learning, innovation and community.

Today, Glasgow is a modern hub of creativity and learning. Education plays a central role in shaping Glasgow’s future, with its universities driving innovation and international collaboration. It’s a place where the rhythm of revolution beats through every idea, partnership and innovation. It is in this environment of openness and energy that we will come together to learn, connect and imagine new futures for international higher education.

Save the date 

We hope you will join us in Glasgow for the 2026 EAIE Conference and Exhibition from 08 –11 September. The conference will be held at the Scotland Event Campus (SEC), a state-of-the-art convention centre on Glasgow’s waterfront that prioritises sustainability.  

We look forward to meeting you in this progressive city. Join us as we explore ‘The Rhythm of Revolution’, not just as a moment of disruption, but as an ongoing commitment to reimagining what higher education can be and how we can help it achieve this goal.  

Let’s find the rhythm together and move forward with purpose.