Join us for our annual conference!

The Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education in Social Work (GADE) is pleased to invite you to the 2026 GADE Annual Conference for social work doctoral program directors, hosted by the Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work on April 15-17, 2026 in Chicago, IL.

This year’s conference theme, The Future We Shape: Anticipating the Future of Doctoral Education in Social Work, highlights the collective responsibility of doctoral program directors to envision and prepare for the evolving landscape of social work education and scholarship. The conference will provide a space to reflect on emerging challenges and opportunities while fostering innovation in training the next generation of scholars and leaders.

Through keynote addresses, interactive panels, and collaborative breakout sessions, participants will engage in meaningful conversations about shaping the future of doctoral education. The conference also offers valuable opportunities for networking, resource-sharing, problem-solving, and professional development within our community of doctoral program directors.

Conference Hotel Location

The Talbott, Autograph Collection
20 E Delaware Place
Chicago, IL 60611

*A quick two block walk to the Loyola Water Tower Campus, 0.2 miles.

Conference Meeting Location

Schreiber Center, 9th & 10th Floor
Loyola University Chicago
16 E Pearson Street
Chicago, IL 60611

*Evening receptions will be held on the Loyola Water Tower Campus within walking distance.

Admission Items
Member Institution Delegate Registration

Member Institution Delegate Registration

$650.00

Refund policy

Partner Organization Representative Registration

Partner Organization Representative Registration

$650.00

Refund policy

Sessions
Architecture Boat Tour (Opt-in)

1 Ticket for the Architecture Boat Tour (Optional)

$45.00

Non-refundable

Networking Lunch (Opt-in)

Networking Lunch (Optional)

$25.00

Non-refundable

Additional Items
Guest Ticket - Architecture Boat Tour (Opt-in)

Guest Ticket - Architecture Boat Tour (Opt-in)

$45.00

Non-refundable

The price of conference registration includes all meals and conference-related activities during the duration of the formal conference program. Conference attendance is limited to social work doctoral program directors/chairs, including assistant program directors/chairs, of GADE institutional members who are current in their membership dues. Programs may opt to send a delegate on behalf of their program if the director/chair is unable to attend. If a program is having a leadership transition, both the incoming and outgoing director/chair may attend. Additionally, GADE Board of Directors and GADE Advisory Board Members are eligible to attend and they may invite representatives from partner organizations to attend. All attendees and presenters are required to pay registration fees.