Co-constructing Developmental Science from Latin America: Learning Variability and Context
November 18–20, 2026
Where
Monterrey, Mexico
Application deadline
10 August 2026
About the workshop
The workshop will take place in Monterrey, Mexico, in collaboration with the annual Early Childhood Forum organized by the Centro de Primera Infancia (CPI) at Tecnológico de Monterrey and the LEARN Program, a capacity exchange initiative of the Jacobs Foundation supporting early-career scholars of human development in research on learning variability. This collaboration creates an exceptional environment for learning, exchange, and innovation, linking global developmental science with local and regional priorities for early childhood development.
The theoretical foundation of this workshop is built on the concept of learning variability in childhood: the understanding that children’s development is not a uniform, linear process but a dynamic trajectory shaped by a complex interplay of individual, contextual, and cultural factors. This perspective aligns with sociocultural and ecological theories of human development, which emphasize that learning emerges from children’s participation in culturally organized activities and relationships.
Therefore, this workshop will:
Interrogate the applicability of WEIRD-derived models of learning and development within Latin American contexts.
Highlight culturally grounded research that centers on local knowledge, languages, and values in explaining developmental pathways.
Build methodological capacity to create and validate contextually sensitive measures of learning and its variability.
Workshop Structure
The three-day workshop will combine sessions specifically designed for ISSBD and LEARN scholars with participation in the CPI Forum.
Day 1 — November 18: ISSBD and LEARN scholars will present their research in brief oral presentations, followed by opportunities for feedback and discussion.
Days 2 and 3 — November 19–20: Participants will attend the CPI Forum and take part in its keynote presentations and thematic sessions.
Formal and informal networking opportunities—including coffee breaks, shared meals, and dedicated interaction spaces—will encourage collaboration and meaningful engagement among scholars, mentors, and principal investigators.
Workshop Participation Grants
Selected Early Career Scholars will receive a participation grant covering:
Round-trip airfare from their city of residence in Latin America to Monterrey, Mexico
Four nights of hotel accommodation, from November 17 to November 21
Coffee breaks, lunches, and one dinner
Number of grants
Up to 10 workshop participation grants will be awarded.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
Be currently enrolled in a doctoral program, hold a postdoctoral position at a college or university, or have received their doctoral degree within the past seven years.
Reside in a Latin American country and be affiliated with an institution in Latin America.
Submit an abstract that aligns with the workshop theme: learning variability across development and contexts and its implications for early childhood development in diverse cultural settings.
Applicants must be fluent in either Spanish or English, preferably both.
ISSBD membership is required if awarded the grant.
Examples of research questions that are eligible for investigation under this award may include:
What are the explanations for the children’s learning variability, and what is its developmental purpose?
How can education systems be designed so that instruction meets the needs of heterogeneous groups of children?
What are the skills, behaviors, knowledge, and characteristics that prepare children to learn in future contexts?
How might environments be described so that we may better understand how to facilitate children’s successful adaptation within and across them?
How can and should the child’s present learning benefit their future learning?
Application Materials
Applicants must submit:
A completed application form through the ISSBD Membership Site
A research abstract of no more than 500 words, including the background, research question(s), methods, and key findings. The abstract should clearly explain the importance of the research and its relevance to the study of learning variability.
A curriculum vitae of no more than four pages
A brief letter of recommendation from the applicant’s mentor or academic supervisor
All materials must be presented in English in a single PDF file.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be evaluated according to:
The relevance of the applicant’s work and interests to the workshop’s theme and objectives
The potential contribution of workshop participation to the applicant’s professional development
The scientific quality and merit of the proposed work
Application and Selection Process
Applications must be submitted through the dedicated application form on the ISSBD Membership site.
Application deadline: August 10, 2026
A selection committee will review all applications. Applicants will be notified of the committee’s decision by email in September 2026.
Questions?
For questions or further information about this workshop, please reach out: