Evidence Informed Practice Conference 2026: News highlights

Learning News highlights from the Evidence Informed Practice Conference 2026, featuring interviews with speakers and delegates from across the workplace learning profession. The event brings together practitioners, consultants, academics and organisational leaders to discuss current challenges and emerging thinking across learning and development.

Recorded at the conference, the programme captures discussions on performance improvement, management effectiveness, evidence-informed decision making, neuroscience, behavioural science and the practical application of research in workplace settings.

Contributors challenge the assumption that training is too often an easy-to-reach answer to business performance problems. Discussions focus on diagnosing workplace issues accurately, understanding the factors that influence employee performance and using evidence to shape interventions.

The programme also looks at the growing influence of AI on workplace learning and the importance of distinguishing evidence from opinion. Contributors discuss how organisations can make better use of research, avoid common misconceptions and build stronger links between learning activity and business outcomes.

The Conference is now a regular fixture for learning professionals interested in applying research and evidence to workplace performance, returning again to Birmingham on 21 May 2027, with a follow up virtual event on 22 October 2026. 

The Evidence Informed Practice Conference is sponsored by EVOLVE, iSpring Solutions, Manageable, Tandemo and L&D Free Spririts, with delivery partners: The CPD Group, The Learning Network, TJ and Learning News.

Speakers included Tom McDowall, Matthew Richter, Amy Brann, Sukhvinder Pabial, Sara L. Farwell, PhD, Maciej D. Zatonski, Kurt Ewald Lindley, Elena Marie Ivanushkina, Joseph Devlin, Laura Watkin, Paula Hughes and Margot Sprenkels. 

More from the Evidence Informed Practice Conference 2026

Evidence Informed Practice Conference 2026: Learning News special programme
Conference website