The overarching theme for the 10th ITRA World Conference is The Zeitgeist in Toys & Games is designed to decipher and understand the many ways toys and games have shaped and reflected who we are, and have changed throughout history. Looking at the past, present, and future of playthings, the question is not so much what the zeitgeist in toys and games should be – but rather how and what they contribute to the multiple and potentially conflicting constellations of ideas, values and norms that come to characterize particular epochs. 

The 10th World Conference of the International Toy Research Association will be held in collaboration with the University of Augsburg in Augsburg, Germany from 5-7 August, 2026.

The International Toy Research Association (ITRA), founded in 1993, is the oldest5 interdisciplinary organization devoted to the scientific study of toys in all their facets, bringing together toy researchers from around the world to discuss research,collaborate on international projects and exchange information with other researchers, students and leadersin the toy industry (see www.itratoyresearch.org for more information). More than 90 international delegates attended from 4 continents attended our 2023 meeting in Rochester, NY USA.

Conference Theme

The overarching theme for the 10th ITRA World Conference is The Zeitgeist in Toys & Games. 

Throughout recorded history, toys and games have shaped and reflected who we are. They inspire our play and fuel our development, both as individuals and members of society, ready to face the unique demands of our time. As the world has changed, so too have our toys and games. We can observe them evolving, progressing, adapting, seemingly disappearing, and surprisingly reappearing over time. Yet they are more than mere reflections. Just as play creates and shapes culture, as Huizinga noted in Homo Ludens, toys and games create and shape our realities as well as our understandings of them.  As both carriers and changemakers of culture, they represent and influence the collective spirit of their times – the Zeitgeist. 

As a community of toy researchers, archivists, curators, professionals, practitioners, and designers, we not only try to decipher and understand this constantly changing zeitgeist, but also to help shape it. We know just how important that task is. Through play with toys and games, players gain understanding for the worlds in which they live and can make it their own. They can learn and practice essential skills, and they can be introduced to and confronted with the great challenges of their time - all in the creative, inspiring, and open sphere of play. Looking at the past, present, and future of playthings, the question is not so much what the zeitgeist in toys and games should be – but rather how and what they contribute to the multiple and potentially conflicting constellations of ideas, values and norms that come to characterize particular epochs.  Given the importance of play, toys and games for us individually and collectively, we have a deep and far-reaching responsibility in trying to answer these questions.

The 10th ITRA World Conference provides opportunities to exchange, reflect on, and discuss the zeitgeist in toys and games. We invite proposals from many different disciplines and professions. We also want to include all kinds of toys, games, playthings– physical, digital or hybrid – in our discussions. 

The scientific committee welcomes abstracts of completed research, case studies and development projects, including those in process or development, as well as ideas for future research in order to generate discussion and feedback.  Submissions related to the main conference theme are invited, as well as from a broad range of topics on toys, games, and play, including but not limited to :

• Art and Artistry
• AI, Metaverse, Internet of Things and other [New] Technologies
• Availability, Accessibility, and Affordability
• Collecting, Collections, and Preservation
• Cultures, Communities, and Societies
• Gamification
• History and Historical Analysis
• Indigenous, Folk, and Ancient Toys & Games
• Innovations, Transitions, and Subversions
• Intersectionality, Inclusivity, and Intergenerationality
• Lifelong Playing and Learning
• Playgrounds, Parks, and Other Playspaces
• Play Therapy and Therapeutic Toys
• Promotions, Markets, and Trends
• Playthings in, of, and for Times of War and Peace
• Social Justice and Representation
• Socialization, Identity, and Development 
• Sustainability, Safety, and Design
• Teaching, and Learning

Submission Guidelines

To submit a paper, poster, flashtalk, or to organize a symposium/panel please submit a complete abstract with all requested information as described below

by December 31, 2025

through our online portal.

The first time you access the submission portal you will be asked to register as a user.  Please note that the contact information entered in the registration process will only be used by ITRA for the purposes of managing your submission and contacting you about its status.  Only complete submissions will be considered for acceptance to the conference.  Questions or issues regarding the submission process should be directed to the conference chair, Dr. Volker Mehringer at volker.mehringer@phil.uni-augsburg.de

All submissions must be in English and include: (a) the title, (b) names, affiliations, and contact information for each presenter, (c) an abstract (400 word limited), and (d) up to 3 keywords. Keywords are used to organize presentations into appropriate sessions, so please choose words that clearly describe the focus of your work.   In addition, please note the following guidelines and requirements for each submission type. 

Papers are intended for individual papers that are being submitted independently by its author(s). Papers that are part of a panel/symposium should be submitted as a package by the session organizer (see below).  The abstract must include a brief introduction or purpose statement, a concise description of the methodology/inquiry approach, data/results, discussion, and conclusion (400 word limit). Please note that in the case of projects still in progress, tentative or anticipated findings should be described.  Paper presentations are limited to 20 minutes, with an additional 10 minutes for questions and comments.

Symposia/Panels are designed to address an important topic, issue and/or to highlight new advances, methods/approaches, or emerging areas of interest.  Symposia generally feature 3-4 presentations by people from different institutions, perspectives, and/or traditions in toy research, design and/or industry. Sessions will be limited to 2 hours and must include dedicated time for question/answer and discussion.  Submissions should include an overall title for the symposium. The abstract should clearly communicate the importance of the main topics addressed, overall goals for the session, and a brief description including each participant’s contribution to the symposium and individual titles if appropriate (400 word limit).

Posters are 2-dimensional displays with a high level of visual interest presented during a 90-minute, regular session.  Poster presenters are expected to be at their poster throughout the session to interact with and address questions from interested conference attendees on a 1:1 basis. As with submissions of papers, the abstract must include a brief introduction or purpose statement, and a concise description of the methodology/inquiry approach, data/results, discussion, and conclusion (400 word limit). 

Flash Talks are no longer than 5-minutes and are intended to spark conversation and interaction with other scholars interested in a particular theoretical, substantive, or methodological issue.  Akin to a round table format the primary focus and goal is an exchange of ideas.  This session type is ideal for presenters seeking feedback on work in progress, exploring new research directions, or discussing current challenges and tensions within toy and game research. All flash talk submissions must include:an abstract that describes the content and goal/anticipated outcome of the talk (400 word limit).

Special Session is a submission category intended to allow for other presentation formats including Author-Meets-Curious-Readers (AMCR), workshops, or other innovative approaches.  

AMCR sessions spotlight books that are of broad interest to ITRA members.  AMCRs may be self-nominated and should include three to four potential ‘curious readers’ who will serve as critics and discussion facilitators. 

The organizing committee also invites proposals for workshops. Workshops are highly interactive sessions focused around an activity or problem-based discussion that provides useful and/or tangible takeaways for participants with a maximum time limit of 2-hours. Submitted abstracts for workshops must describe the workshop’s importance/relevance, outline its overall structure, learning objectives/goals, and intended audience and key takeaways (400 word limit).  In addition to the abstract, a list of expendable materials and/or any special requirements (e.g., space or equipment) is also required.  Workshop leaders should plan on providing all materials needed for the workshop. 

Proposals for AMCRs, workshops or other special sessions should be sent directly to the program chair, Dr. Volker Mehringer, at volker.mehringer@phil.uni-augsburg.de for consideration

by December 31, 2025.

Please note that acceptance for special sessions is quite limited and highly competitive. 

10th World Conference Committees

Scientific Committee 

• Vincent Berry, Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, France
• Harshul Brahmbhatt, Children’s Research University, India
• Barbara Carè, University of Fribourg, Switzerland
• Paul Darvasi, Gold Bug Interactive & University of Toronto, Canada
• Jeffrey H. Goldstein, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands
• Karen Feder, Design School Kolding, Kolding, Denmark
• Gundolf Freyermuth, Cologne Game Lab & Internationale Filmschule Köln, Germany
• Cleo Gougoulis, University of Patras, Greece
• Salim Hashmi, King's College London
• Katriina Heljakka, University of Turku Finland
• Volker Mehringer, University of Augsburg, Germany
• Greta Pennell, University of Indianapolis, USA
• Miriam Morante Bonet, Universitat Politècnica de València, Spain
• Luisa Magalhães, Catholic University, Portugal
• Christine Spiller, Deutsches Spielzeug Museum, Germany
• Sabrina Thomas, Duke University, USA
• Jeffrey Trawick-Smith, Eastern Connecticut State University, USA
• Lieselotte van Leeuwen, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
• Wiebke Waburg, University of Koblenz, Germany

Organizing Committee

• Volker Mehringer, University of Augsburg, Germany ITRA Conference Committee Chair &Board Member
• Greta Pennell, ITRA President, ex officio, University of Indianapolis, USA
• Gilles Brougère, ITRA Treasurer, University Sorbonne Paris Nord, France
• Ozlem Cankaya, MacEwan University, Canada
• Brian McCarty, War Toys, USA
• Marcus Weimker, Hochschule Fresenius, University of Applied Science,
• Artemis Yagou, Germany Deuches Museum, Germany 

Contact us
Email: volker.mehringer@phil.uni-augsburg.de

Follow us at:

Linked In:   https://www.linkedin.com/company/international-toy-research-association

And on the web:  https://www.itratoyresearch.org/