The 2026 “International Perspectives on Higher Education: Evidence and Policy” Conference sponsored by the Ardian Foundation in the US and France brings together practitioners, policymakers, funders, and Nobel-prize winning researchers to discuss the future of education. Participants will explore topics such as improving equity in higher education, the impact of scholarship programs, and other critical issues.
For your convenience, we’ve selected a few hotels near MIT that offer comfortable stays in Cambridge. Each option is within easy walking distance or a quick ride to campus. Please see below for the MIT preferred discount codes to use when booking your stay:
1) Boston Marriott Cambridge: MT2
2) The Kendall Hotel: MIT7
3) Hotel Marlowe: 100216750
Take a look at the preliminary agenda below; speakers and other details will be finalized in the coming months.
IN COLLABORATION WITH
WITH SUPPORT FROM
Welcome and Introductions
1:00 - 1:15pm
Standardized Tests and Admissions Policies
1:15 - 2:00pm
The Effects of Changing Majors on Student Success
2:00 - 2:45pm
Break
2:45 - 3:15pm
Older Classmates’ Influence on Next Generation’s Choices
3:15 - 4:00pm
The Geography of Higher Education and Spatial Inequalities
4:00 - 4:45pm
Keynote: Degrees of Mobility: Shifting Low-Income Students to Higher-Quality Degrees
4:45 - 5:45pm
Harvard Graduate School of Education
Dinner
6:00 - 7:30pm
Sumiao (270 Third St, Cambridge, MA 02142)
Breakfast
7:30 - 8:30am
The Long-Term Impacts of Scholarship Aid
8:30 - 9:15 AM
Expanding Bachelor’s Access Through Community Colleges: Impacts on Completion and Earnings
9:15 - 10:00 AM
Break
10:00 - 10:15am
Private Scholarships: Access and Impact
10:15 - 11:00 AM
Policy Panel: Using Data and Evidence to Improve Equity in Higher Education
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Closing Remarks
12:00 - 12:15 PM
Lunch
12:15 PM - 1:00 PM
The event is located at Salon M, MIT Samberg Conference Center (MIT Building E52, 50 Memorial Drive, 7th floor).
We recommend entering through the entrance on Wadsworth Street. Input 30 Wadsworth Street, Cambridge into rideshare or walking directions. Upon arrival, enter the Morris and Sophie Chang Building E52 via the glass doorway with the light-up installation. Take the elevators to the 6th floor. If you enter via Memorial Drive, please also proceed to the elevator bank. When you arrive at the 7th floor, follow the signage to Salon M.
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