Mercian 2026 Conference: Presentation Proposal Submission
The Mercian Collaboration and Mercian Conference Group are excited to invite session proposals for Mercian 26: I can’t do any more with less! – Collaborative and innovative ways to enhance library spaces, collections, and engagement without over-stretching ourselves. Conference, to be held in person on Wednesday 9th September 2026, at The Venue@DMU, De Montfort University.
Mercian 26 Conference Theme
In an era of tightening budgets, reducing staff capacity, and evolving user expectations, academic libraries are under increasing pressure to deliver more (e.g. more services, more innovation, more engagement) while working with less. The conference aims to explore practical, collaborative, and sustainable approaches that enable libraries to maintain and enhance their offer without over-stretching teams or resources. It will provide space to learn from colleagues across the region, share good practice in all aspects of library work, and to reflect on opportunities to thrive within institutional and sector-wide constraints.
Eligibility: Who can Submit a Speaker Proposal?
Contributions are welcomed from colleagues working within Mercian member institutions. We welcome submissions from those working in library, information, and related roles of any grade, including individual and collaborative joint submissions. We particularly encourage and support submissions from those who are looking to present for the first time. We also welcome submissions from non-member UK academic institutions, in line with the conference title and themes.
We do not accept speaker submissions from commercial organisations. Mercian 26 is only possible thanks to sponsorship, and invites potential sponsors to consider contributing to the conference through a range of sponsorship options.
Format: What Types of Session Proposals can be Submitted?
Submissions can be focused on, but not limited to, the conference title and theme. We also welcome submissions which may fall outside of the theme but will still be of relevance and interest to our delegates. Contributions can take the form of table discussions, presentations, or interactive workshops in the following options (where the time indicated is the total session length):
- 15 minute table discussions
- 20 minute presentations
- 60 minutes workshops
- Poster
You can discover more about these session types here
Should you wish to submit a proposal outside of these formats, please contact the Speaker Liaisons: Clare Towle and Lynn Goodhew: mercianconference@gmail.com.
How to submit a session proposal
Presentation proposals can be submitted to the Conference Group by completing this online Call For Speakers form. Please complete all sections of the form. The deadline for submission is Monday 8th June 2026.
If you require the submission form in an accessible or alternative format, please contact the Speaker Liaisons as above and an alternative format will be provided. Sessions may be recorded and shared, along with the speaker slides and other materials, on the conference microsite following the event.
Speaker Briefing Events: Now Open for Booking
We are running online speaker briefing events to support you when submitting your proposal, scheduled for May 2026:
- Event 1: Wed 6th at 10am (Morning)
- Event 2: Thurs 7th at 2pm (Afternoon)
- Event 3: Drop-in session – Thurs 28th at 2pm (Afternoon)
You can sign up to an event by completing this online Speaker Briefing event form. These events are open to anyone considering submitting a proposal, including advice for first-time presenters, support for presenting and public speaking, and guidance about what goes into submitting a great proposal.
Poster Gallery and Exhibition
We also invite colleagues who either have a smaller project or simply prefer not to present a paper to suggest a poster for our exhibition to showcase something you have done. Full details will be available in our Call for Posters, to be announced separately.
Selection Criteria
All proposals will be reviewed by the Conference Group selected according to the following criteria:
- Clarity of proposal
- Impact on delegates the wider library community
- Levels of originality and innovation
- Relevance to the call and event theme
If we are unable to accept your submission for a talk you may be invited to submit a poster instead.
Notification of Outcome
It is anticipated that the outcome from all submitted proposals will be communicated by the end of June, with the formal reveal of the programme to follow in August. Due to the anticipated number of proposals, we regret that individual feedback cannot be provided.
Further Information & Support
Mercian 26 is organised by the Mercian Collaboration, a professional network formed from SCONUL higher education libraries in the East and West Midlands of England. For more information on the 2026 Conference, please contact the Conference Group Chair Steve Bull mercianconference@gmail.com. For help or support in drafting your proposal, please contact the Speaker Liaisons as above.
