Madrid Conference – New keynote on the EU Digital Education Action Plan

EDEN 2021 Virtual Annual Conference – UNED-Madrid
New Keynote on the EU Digital Education Action Plan!

“Lessons from a pandemic for the future of education”

Submit a Contribution

Dear Members, Partners and Friends,

EDEN is honoured to introduce a new keynote speaker at the EDEN Virtual Annual Conference, hosted by the National Distance Education University UNED on 21-24 JuneGeorgi Dimitrov, Head of Digital Education at the European Commission, will give a presentation on the Digital Education Action Plan 2021-2027 adopted by the European Commission in late 2020.

Be kindly reminded that the evaluation of the submitted contributions is continuous, the Call remains open until 17 May

Please consider especially our revised Synergy concept:

For project ideas: if you have an exciting project idea to develop, you will be able to present and discuss your idea by submitting a short description of an emerging project, even if not accepted yet. Please submit your initiative in the synergy template field.

For granted projects: EDEN partners, project- and associate partners are still warmly welcome to present ongoing, funded projects by submitting a brief description of the background and objectives. Please submit your initiative in the synergy template field.
All granted project synergy submissions accepted by the Conference Committee will be published in the conference Short Paper Book. The presenters will be able to reach around 300 experts in the field during the conference and more than 12.000 experts via promotion through EDEN channels.


New Keynote

Georgi Dimitrov
Head of “Digital Education” European Commission

Georgi Dimitrov joined the European Commission in 2008. Between 2009 and 2013 he was involved in various roles in setting up the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). In 2014/2015 Georgi managed the launch of HEInnovate, an initiative by the European Commission and the OECD that supports entrepreneurial and innovative universities. Read more…

Full list of keynotes


PhD Symposium Madrid

EDEN is glad tho share a video message sent by Francesa Amenduni, EDEN’s Young Scholar Awardee in 2020 speaking about of the positive impact of our PhD Symposiums on her professional development. Francesca is a member of the EDEN NAP SC. She is Senior Researcher and Project Manager at SFIVET and a PhD candidate at Roma TRE University. Watch the video HERE

The EDEN 2021 PhD Symposium Madrid will be organized on 21 June 2021, in the frame of the conference. The Symposium, held in previous years in Barcelona (2018), Bruges (2019), Dublin (2019), Timisoara (2020), Lisbon (2020) has been designed to foster the exchange of experiences and knowledge among doctoral students doing research in the area of technology enhanced online, digital, open and distance learning, providing a valuable forum for the advancement of doctoral research. The Symposium is led by a panel of international experts. Check more information about EDEN PhD Symposium here.
You can find the Call for presentations, the Committee members and submit your paper here. 


Young Scholars Grants

The Ulrich Bernath Foundation for Research in Open and Distance Learning will support 4 young scholars or teams of young scholars with a grant of 300 Euros for submitting a significant contribution (Full paper) to the EDEN Annual Conference.Eligible for the Young Scholars Grants are degree-programme and doctoral students, who individually or in teams submit original research papers to the EDEN Annual Conference in Madrid. The paper will be presented by young scholar(s). Team work with senior scholars are accepted, however it must be declared that the major part of the paper has been authored by young scholar(s).

Young scholars who apply for the grant will take part in the EDEN Best Research Paper Award competition, which is based on evaluation results that follow five standard evaluation criteria: (i)The paper deals with a research question; (ii) rigorous examination/research methods are applied; (iii) findings, results and outcomes are convincingly presented and critically examined; (iv) conclusions are thoroughly discussed (including aspects like applicability, transferability, and further research; (v) literature is reviewed against the state of art.

The grants will be handed out by bank transfer after the EDEN Annual Conference in Madrid. Eligible candidates are invited to contact the organisers at: madrid2021@eden-online.org before submitting their Full Paper.


Special Conference Sessions

  • The new Digital Europe Action Plan and the Experience of the EU Education and Training DELTA working group
  • The Madrid EDEN Microcredential Declaration preparation workshop
  • EDEN Network of Academics and Professionals – new trajectories with the fresh Steering Committee
  • The EDEN European Journal – EURODL: with new Chief Editor, new online platform and services in 2021
  • EDEN 30th anniversary – lessons from the past and perspectives for the future
  • After the Brexit – the EDEN Future: Digital Learning Europe Association
  • The EDEN Fellows Council: advice and advocacy from our awarded members
  • R4C – Way to make your school e-mature and open: the benefits of using the R4C Self Reflection Tool and implement changes built around the results

EDEN 30th Anniversary Updates

In 2021 EDEN is celebrating its 30th Anniversary. We look forward to sharing the pleasure of this special year with our members, partners and friends. Please read the blog post of EDEN President Sandra Kučina Softić reflecting on this special occasion. Read here.

The official EDEN30 website has been set up and announced already. Nevertheless, the webpage is continuously enriched and upgraded, extended with substantial, meaningful content (history, projects, events, awards, photo galleries, member testimonials etc.), including your warmly welcomed input to show the real power of our community and its 30 years of history. 


Share your story!

Do you have an inspiring story of EDEN to tell? We invite all of you to send, upload, share your memories, experiences, memorable moments, including your reflections, comments and ideas to EDEN throughout the anniversary year on the EDEN30 website. You can upload your story and/or photo HERE.