The new Asiera Conference 2026 marks a significant moment for the Irish education and research community. Building on the strong legacy of Ireland’s long-established national conference for the sector (formerly the HEAnet Conference, founded in 2001), Asiera represents an evolution toward a more internationally connected, forward-looking forum, returning to the Great Southern Hotel, Killarney from Tuesday 3 November – Thursday 5 November.
As digital infrastructure, research collaboration, and education systems face accelerating change, the inaugural Asiera programme will set the tone for what this conference becomes in the years ahead. The voices, ideas, and expertise shared in this first edition will directly influence its direction, technical depth, and global relevance. Colleagues across the international GÉANT community are warmly invited to contribute by submitting a talk and helping shape this new platform.
A platform for global exchange
Asiera 2026 will bring together a diverse audience of network operators, technologists, researchers, educators, and policy stakeholders. It offers a valuable opportunity to engage with peers who are tackling shared challenges across national and international research and education ecosystems. Participation is not just about presenting work, it is about contributing to meaningful dialogue on the future of connectivity, trust, sustainability, and innovation across our sector.
Presentation formats
- Full presentations: 25 minute session and five minute Q&A, up to 500-word abstract and short speaker biography.
- Lightning Talks: five minute session and five minute Q&A, up to 100-word abstract and short speaker biography.
- Submission deadline: Midnight on 12 June 2026
Conference themes
Submissions are encouraged across a broad and relevant set of themes, including cybersecurity and trust frameworks, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, networks and connectivity, cloud and digital infrastructure, High Performance Computing, quantum communications, automation and shared services, sustainability in service delivery, disaster recovery and resilience, identity and access management, learner and client case studies and emerging technologies and innovation.
Why contribute
Presenting at Asiera offers clear professional and strategic benefits:
- Engage with a highly specialised audience.
- Build collaborations across the Irish research and education community.
- Share practical insights and influence sector direction.
- Raise visibility for projects, services, and research initiatives.
For organisations and individuals working within GÉANT and its partner networks, the event provides a particularly strong platform for strengthening cross-border collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Accepted full presentations include:
- Full conference access.
- Welcome reception and gala dinner attendance.
- Catering across both conference days.
- Two nights’ accommodation (bed and breakfast).
Accepted lightning talks include:
- Full conference access.
- Welcome reception and gala dinner attendance.
- Catering across both conference days.
(Please note accommodation is not included for lightning talk speakers.)
Get involved
Asiera is positioning itself as a key meeting point for the international research and education networking community. Early participation will play a defining role in shaping its identity as a technically robust and globally relevant conference. For more information on the Asiera Conference 2026, visit our website, and for more information on Submit Your Talk details, please contact; events@conferenceorganisers.ie
Asiera 2026 is more than a new name, it is a renewed invitation to collaborate, exchange ideas, and strengthen the global research and education community. Contributions from across the GÉANT network will be valuable to making this first edition a success. We look forward to welcoming you to Killarney!
