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iLEAD 2026 Conference Review Criteria (Immersive Learning Education, Arts & Design-Focused)

Established: January 2026

Last Updated: 1/14/2026


Purpose

This page defines the review criteria and reviewer guidance used for evaluating submissions to the iLEAD (Immersive Learning Education, Arts, and Design) Stream at the iLEAD 2026 Conference.

The criteria are published to support transparency, consistency, and shared understanding across contributors, reviewers, and program leadership.

These criteria serve two functions:

  1. For authors – to clarify expectations and support the development of strong, well-aligned submissions.
  2. For reviewers and chairs – to guide evaluation, calibration, and program-building decisions.

This document functions as a versioned procedural standard within the iLEAD governance framework. Updates or revisions are documented and stewarded through the iLEAD Program Chairs in consultation with the General Chairs and the iLRN Scientific Quality Assurance process.

Scope

These review criteria apply to all iLEAD 2026 submission categories, unless otherwise noted in specific calls or track guidance.

Where appropriate, submission formats (e.g., workshops, demonstrations, panels) may include additional contextual guidance, but such guidance does not replace or override the core criteria defined here.

iLRN iLEAD Review Criteria

The criteria below are applied holistically. Reviewers are asked to consider submissions in relation to their stated purpose, context, and intended contribution.

1. Relevance to iLEAD and the 2026 Conference Theme

  • Alignment with immersive learning as a field of research, design, practice, or application
  • Relevance to the 2026 conference theme and/or the mission of iLEAD
  • Clarity of intended audience and contribution

2. Contribution to Practice and Community Relevance

  • Usefulness to educators, designers, trainers, or practitioners
  • Clear articulation of actionable insights, tools, or transferable lessons
  • Engagement with real-world challenges and opportunities

3. Quality of Design, Method, or Practice

  • Soundness of learning design, development process, or implementation approach
  • Appropriateness of methods, tools, or platforms used
  • Evidence of thoughtful implementation or inquiry

4. Innovation and Creativity

  • Novelty of approach or application
  • Creative or insightful use of immersive technologies
  • Introduction of fresh perspectives, even when exploratory or early stage

5. Clarity, Organization, and Communication

  • Clarity and coherence of writing or presentation
  • Logical organization and completeness
  • Accessibility to the intended audience

6. Practical Conclusions and Takeaways

  • Clear articulation of lessons learned or recommendations
  • Substantiation of conclusions through experience or design rationale
  • Value of takeaways for other practitioners

7. Compliance with style/formatting and referencing guidelines.

Additional Considerations

Depending on submission type, reviewers may also consider:

  • Ethical considerations and responsible practice
  • Inclusivity, accessibility, and cultural awareness
  • Transparency of limitations and future directions

These considerations are not scored independently but inform overall judgment.

Reviewer Guidance and Ethics

Reviewers are expected to contribute to a supportive, constructive, and professional review environment. 

Expectations

  • Provide actionable, specific feedback that supports author development
  • Avoid personal judgments or assumptions about author integrity, background, or intent
  • Maintain strict confidentiality of submitted materials

Ethics and Integrity

  • Do not upload manuscripts to generative AI tools
  • If concerns arise regarding plagiarism, fabricated data, ethical issues, or unreported AI use, report them via Confidential Comments to the Program Chairs only.

Reviewers are expected to adhere to:

  • Submissions are reviewed using EasyChair with these criteria as a shared framework and review form (this page provides information on how to add a review)
  • Reviewers should indicate their confidence level accurately
  • Final program decisions are made by the iLEAD Program Chairs in consultation with Track Chairs and the General Chairs
  • Acceptance decisions reflect both submission quality and overall program balance
  • Revisions based on reviewer feedback are expected for all accepted submissions

Award Nominations

Submissions may be nominated for awards when they demonstrate:

  • Outstanding originality, clarity, and impact in practice or design
  • Clear value to the iLEAD community
  • Potential to meaningfully advance immersive learning education or design

iLEAD Book Series

Selected iLEAD submissions will be invited to contribute a chapter to the iLEAD Book Series.

Versioning and Revision

This page represents the current review criteria for the iLEAD 2026 Conference. Prior versions, revisions, or post-conference reflections may be archived to support transparency and institutional memory.

Editorial Note

The iLEAD review criteria are intended to support fairness, transparency, and constructive evaluation. They are reviewed periodically to ensure alignment with evolving practices, community feedback, and the broader goals of the iLEAD Innovation Garden.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact the iLRN2026 iLEAD Program Chair Team (ilrn2026.ileadprogram@immersivelrn.org).

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