In an age of AI and constant reinvention,
what in learning actually endures?

What if the best learning environments aren’t about the
latest trend – but about what we choose to protect?

What does education today actually demand
of the spaces we design and teach in?

If these are the questions that keep you up at night
then the Mayfield Project Project may be for you!

How will the Mayfield Project run in 2026 and 2027?

Our 2027 Mayfield Project will combine online elements with face to face workshops and presentations.

As our Mayfielders come from all over Australasia, LEA will financially support the face to face component of the program with a number of online workshops in the lead up to the 25th Annual Conference 2027 BELONGING, being held in Sydney | Gadigal Country from 5 – 7 May 2027.

We want applicants to know what they’re signing up for, so the below information is an estimate of what the 2026 – 2027 program will likely look like, based on previous years. We’ll do our best to stick to these dates; however, there may be some minor movement if we encounter some unexpected challenges (such as another global pandemic…):  

LEA uses the TEAMs platform for online workshops and meetings

Early November 2026, Online

• 5.30pm AEDST (7.30pm NZDT/2.30pm AWST),approx duration 1.5hrs.
• This will be a start up session to meet one another and the facilitators, discuss the program, and get an understanding of what activities will be happening in the coming months.

Friday 20 November 2026, F2F, Hobart TAS

• 8.15am – 5.30pm local time.
• The 2026 Regional Day Out (RDO) EMPOWER is LEA’s one day conference. Attendance is a core part of the 2027 Mayfield Project – LEA will cover your registration, economy flights from your home to Hobart, and two (2) nights accommodation at a hotel sourced and booked by LEA.
  • The hotel is not walking distance to the RDO venues (The Hedberg + The Forest). A taxi or similar will be needed.
• The RDO is a wonderful opportunity for the cohort to meet in person for the first time, ahead of the online start up session the following week.
• Attending the RDO is a great way to connect with Mayfielders and the wider LEA community, learn more about LEA, and enjoy professional learning in an informal and dynamic environment.
• View our 2025 RDO program (held in Sydney), and our 2024 RDO program (held in Adelaide) to get a taste of this event.

End November 2026 – End February 2027, Online and F2F, Preliminary Research Activities

• Online: 5.30pm AEDST (7.30pm NZDT/2.30pm AWST), approx duration 2hrs.
• Mayfielders will be able to connect to undertake preliminary research activities as a foundation for the weekend workshop experience.
• We anticipate this would amount to approximately 10 hours across the three month period.

Thursday 25 – Sunday 28 February 2027, F2F, Sydney NSW

• Arrival Thursday 25 February 2027 in the afternoon/evening, all day workshop Friday and Saturday, workshop until approximately 1pm Sunday local time.
• Mayfielders will arrive in Sydney on the afternoon of Thursday 25 February to participate in a 2.5 day, face to face workshop held over the weekend.
• LEA will pay for economy flights from the Mayfielders home to Sydney, and 3 (three) nights accommodation (at a hotel sourced and booked by LEA), catering during the workshop.
  • The hotel is walking distance to the workshop location, approximately a 750m or 10 minute walk.

Mid March – End April 2027, Online

• Online: 4.30pm AEST (6.30pm NZDT/2.30pm AWST), approx duration 2hrs.
• Participants will continue to drive the project through fortnightly online, self directed group collaboration in preparation for the 25th Annual Conference 2027 BELONGING presentation and project deliverables.
• Fortnightly sessions are anticipated on:
  • Wednesday 10 March 2027
  • Wednesday 24 March 2027
  • Wednesday 7 April 2027
  • Wednesday 21 April 2027
• It is anticipated that these sessions would be approximately 2 hours; however, work to progress the project would continue between structured sessions.

Tuesday 4 – Friday 7 May 2027, F2F Conference Keynote Presentation at the 25th Annual Conference 2027 BELONGING

• The 25th Annual Conference 2027 BELONGING is being held in Sydney | Gadigal Country from 5 – 7 May 2027.
• Mayfielders will arrive by 10am local time, Tuesday 4 May 2027.
• Mayfielders will spend Tuesday 4 May finalising the group’s conference presentation.
• LEA will pay for economy flights from the Mayfielders home to the conference location, and three (3) nights accommodation (at a hotel sourced and booked by LEA).
  • The hotel is walking distance to the Sydney International Conference Centre, approximately a 1.5km or 15 minute walk.
• Mayfielders will attend the conference from Wednesday to Friday and present their findings to the delegates in a dedicated keynote session.

May 2027 – June 2028, Online and F2F, Ongoing

• Mayfielders will be expected to engage with their local Chapter and will be given the opportunity to join Chapter Committees and Regional Subcommittees (such as DEI, Membership, Sponsorship, Partnerships + Advocacy, Research).
• Participants will be gifted a 24 month LEA membership from November 2026 to June 2028, enabling attendance at LEA events over the following twelve months, including running a dedicated session at a Chapter level discussing the activities and outcomes of their Mayfield experience.

FAQ’s