Medical Education Research and Innovation Conference
8th Annual
Medical Education Research and Innovation (MERI) Conference
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The Wayne State University School of Medicine will host the 8th annual Medical Education Research and Innovation Conference on Tuesday, December 1st, 2026.
Submit Abstract:
Submit your abstract for the 2026 MERI conference!
The Medical Education Research and Innovation (MERI) Conference is where medical education scholarship at Wayne State gets its start. Every year, students, residents, staff, and faculty bring their work to one room. Studies of how learners learn. New ways to teach and assess. Curricula built to meet the moment. If you have asked a question about how medical education works and gone looking for the answer, this conference is for you.
This year's theme is The Impact of AI on Undergraduate Medical Education. What is AI doing to how our students learn, teach, and think? A lunchtime expert panel takes it on, and we welcome abstracts that speak to the theme alongside work on any topic in medical education.
Over 80 posters and oral presentations were presented at the 2025 in-person conference. Aimed at first-time research participants, the conference welcomes completed and in-progress work from students, residents, staff, and faculty engaged in medical education scholarship. Recognition and awards will be given for the best-in-class presentations and posters.
New in 2026, an afternoon of workshops. Students, faculty, and staff will lead hands-on skills sessions, guided discussions, and live demonstrations. Now accepting proposals via the abstract submissions form.
❚ RESEARCH
“Medical Education Research” refers to research related to the learning process that occurs within a medical education setting. Topics include but are not limited to learner characteristics, optimizing the learning process, assessment and evaluation, professional development, instruction design, technology in the learning environment, well-being. Research at any level (undergraduate, graduate, practitioner, faculty) of medical education are welcome. Medical education research can also include quality improvement projects.
❚ INNOVATION
“Medical Education Innovation” refers to innovative curricula that address a current issue within medical education. The innovation should be based on learning principles and be designed to meet a specific need. Examples include but are not limited to health and wellness, quality improvement, patient safety, interprofessional education, service learning.
❚ KEYNOTE SPEAKER
The school’s 2025 MER/I conference featured keynote speaker:
Arash Javanbakht, M.D.
Founding director of the Stress, Trauma, and Anxiety Research Clinic (STARC) at Wayne State University School of Medicine