Collaboration: We welcome research that centers on the exchange between two or more people. It is important that collaboration is sufficiently conceptualized. However, the conceptualization can draw on different disciplinary perspectives, ranging from social interactions between two peers in the classroom to anonymous exchanges between people in large social networks and to the collective evolution of whole communities in which non-human actors such as AI play a part. 

Learning: CSCL research also needs to focus on the unfolding of learning. A variety of different conceptualizations of learning are developed in CSCL and can range from individual changes of knowledge or behavior to knowledge co-construction to more collective phenomena of successful collaboration. While learning outcomes are often examined in CSCL research designs, it is particularly important if research also tackles collective learning and the analysis of collaborative learning processes. 

Computing: Computers have evolved greatly during the 30 years of CSCL’s history. New technological developments, interface paradigms, and computational infrastructures create new possibilities for supporting collaborative learning opportunities. Hence, research that engages the CSCL community to reflect broadly on our definition of computing and computers is welcome. Meaningful efforts could include, for example, applying data science methods to automatically analyze social learning processes, scaling a specific model of collaborative learning via existing technology platforms, and integrating AI partners in collaborative learning scenarios. 

Full Research Papers (8 pages, not including references, i.e., proposals can have a 9th page with the references): Full papers are for mature work, requiring lengthy explanations of the conceptual background, methodology, and data analysis. Full paper submissions should include: (a) the major issue(s) addressed; (b) potential significance of the work; (c) the theoretical and methodological approach(es) pursued; (d) major findings, conclusions, implications; and (e) relevant scholarly references. 

Short Research Papers (4 pages, not including references, i.e., proposals can have a 5th page with the references): Short papers are for work that makes significant contributions but that is still in progress, of a smaller scale, or that can be reported briefly. Otherwise, the same criteria apply as those listed for the full papers above. 

Research Posters (2 pages, not including references, i.e., proposals can have a 3rd page with the references): Research posters present work in the early stages and for novel and promising ideas. The two-page paper should also identify the aspect of the work that will likely lead to productive discussions with annual meeting participants in a poster session, including figures exemplifying the visual support to be provided for these discussions in the actual poster. 

Symposia (8 pages, not including references, i.e., proposals can have a 9th page with the references): Symposia comprise a set of completed research papers grouped together to convey larger ideas or results about a specific theme or issue. It is not sufficient for a symposium to simply be a set of related papers, such as papers from a specific research group. Instead, symposium proposals will be evaluated on their capacity to address significant issues of interest to the CSCL community and align with the theme of the annual meeting. 

Symposia will last 90 minutes. Contributions should be grouped together under a theme, including a discussant and a chair (or/and an organizer). A common format consists of individual presentations, one commentary by a discussant, and a moderated discussion among symposium members and the audience. A structured poster format is also welcome, wherein the presenters are coordinated in sharing more deeply at break-out poster stations. 

Hybrid Symposia (8 pages, not including references, i.e., proposals can have a 9th page with the references): CSCL 2025 will continue to solicit a new submission track for hybrid symposia that started in 2024. These “born hybrid” sessions will be held in a room with good Internet, two-way sound, and a camera or cameras. They will also take place in designated time slots conducive to online participants from multiple time zones around the globe. 

In addition to the requirements for the traditional symposia (see above), submitters need to describe their aims and strategies for hybrid engagement in their proposals in one additional page (this format page will not be included in the published proceedings). The submissions will be reviewed holistically for both content and format. Excellent proposals with a clear value-add from online hybridity will be prioritized over proposals in which the online component does not intrinsically add value. Intentionally engaging targeted online audiences with the onsite participants might be one such value-add; another might be novel technology-mediated collaboration approaches to the conference symposium format. It is also critical for hybrid submitters to clearly specify technology needs for their sessions. While technology support in the room will be provided by the LOC to the best of their capabilities, engagement facilitation should be described in the proposal, and staffed by submitters. 

Submitters who need to participate online due to a need for online accommodations should NOT submit to the hybrid symposium track for that purpose alone. Online accommodations will be available to those who need them in ALL tracks through the accommodations process (more information coming soon).