Overview of the iLRN annual conference

The iLRN Conference Series

The Immersive Learning Research Network (iLRN) Conference Series is the premier global gathering for scholars, educators, designers, and innovators at the forefront of immersive technologies for learning. Since its inception in 2015, iLRN has convened an international community to explore how extended reality (XR), simulations, games, and other immersive platforms are shaping the future of education, training, and human development. 

A Truly Global Community

Each year, the iLRN Conference brings together participants from across the world—spanning higher education, K–12, industry, cultural institutions, and non-profits. The series alternates between virtual and face-to-face events in diverse global locations, creating opportunities for cross-cultural exchange and collaboration. iLRN conferences have been hosted in cities such as Vienna, Santa Barbara,  London, Chicago, and immersive online campuses that model the very technologies under discussion.

Knowledge Tree Framework

The series is structured around iLRN’s Knowledge Tree, which connects foundational disciplines—computer science, user experience and game studies, and the learning sciences—to applied “branches” in fields such as medical education, environmental sciences, cultural heritage, workforce training, and social justice. This framework provides rich communities of practice within the network and ensures that every conference program is both rigorous in its research foundations and responsive to real-world application.

Multimodal and Inclusive

Unlike traditional academic conferences, the iLRN Conference Series is multimodal by design. Sessions are held in XR platforms, hybrid online hubs, and in-person venues, enabling participation from a wide spectrum of researchers and practitioners. Opportunities to engage & explore XR & immersive learning experiences are mindfully designed in each modality. The series emphasizes diversity, equity, and global reach, spotlighting projects and voices from all regions of the world.

Impact and Legacy

Through keynotes, scholarly papers, practitioner showcases, and collaborative design events, the conference fosters a culture of co-creation and innovation. Outcomes include peer-reviewed proceedings, international collaborations, and the cultivation of standards and competencies for immersive learning. The iLRN Conference Series is the flagship event of iLRN's sustained, evolving ecosystem that connects people, projects, and ideas to shape the future of learning in the 21st century.

For more information, visit iLRN's "About the iLRN Conference" page on our website.