It’s nearly Christmas, we hope everyone has the opportunity to take a break, play, and refresh ready for a new year ahead!
First of all, a reminder that the Playful Learning Conference (1st-3rd July, 2026) is open for submissions. Get those ideas submitted by the 2nd Feb! Theme this year is “into the woods”, just remember not to take any Turkish delight from strange women while you’re there…
There’s another, different playful festival coming up PLA people might be interested in too – CounterPlay is returning, this time in Kolding, 7th-9th May, 2026. They’ve also got a “call for play” out at the moment, which closes soon!
Lots of conference news this month, we continue with RIDL:HE 2026! Research in Digital Learning for HE (RIDL:HE) was a great success in September this year, and you can read all the full papers from the conference in our journal: Research in Digital Learning 2025
RIDl:HE will return on 2-3 September 2026 in Newcastle, and we are delighted that the call for papers is open. We welcome short and full papers, workshop sessions and an open call for other contributions of an original nature:
We welcome all submissions relating to the critical use of learning technology within Higher Education teaching and research. As well as gaining a peer-reviewed publication, you will also be part of the active, critical debate and engagement at RIDL:HE 26, accompanied by all the social activities and the return of the RIDL GRIDL.
Help Shape the Future of Playful Learning in Higher Education with RE:PLAY! RE:PLAY is exploring how games, simulations, and playful pedagogies can enhance learning experiences in universities. From role-playing activities and playful assessments to serious play and game-based workshops, we’re examining what makes these approaches effective and how they can be better implemented across diverse disciplines.
As higher education staff, you have unique insights into playful learning – whether you’re actively using these methods, considering them, or have chosen not to implement them. We want to understand:
Your attitudes toward play and games in university teaching
Your experiences implementing (or observing) playful methods in your work
What works well – and what challenges you’ve encountered
What would help make playful learning more effective and sustainable
The Survey
We’re asking staff who are involved in teaching and learning in all universities to complete a short survey (approximately 10 minutes) sharing your thoughts and experiences.
Your perspective – regardless of your level of experience with playful learning – will help shape our understanding of these approaches across the sector.
Finally, we’ve a special issue of the Journal of Play in Adulthood around Playful Leadership – officially the deadline was 1st December, but we expected a few latecomers, so if you you get an uncontrollable urge to write an article on this topic over the next few weeks, we’ll happily take them until about the middle of January!
I lied about finally! Here’s an extra 🙂
Playful Learning Association Collaborative Jamming – an online meetup
Thu 12 Feb 2026 13:30-16:30 GMT
Online via Microsoft Teams
Grab your spoons and join the community for a jam-packed celebration of all things Playful Learning 
This online meet-up is all about co-creating resources that bring more people into our joyful world of play. We’ll share our favourite playful flavours, blend ideas, toast possibilities, and preserve the magic of collaboration.
Whether you’re dipping in for the first time or a regular playmaker, you’ll leave with fresh ideas and a jar full of inspiration.
Everything’s better when we jam together!
Disclaimer: All jam-related puns intended; no fruit has been harmed in the creation of this event.