Call for Proposals – ISTC 2026
𝗙𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱: 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
Welcome to ISTC 2026 – Where Testing Excellence Meets Innovation
As Turkey’s premier software testing conference and an esteemed member of the ISTQB Conference Network, ISTC continues its explosive growth trajectory. Following the resounding success of ISTC 2025 – which welcomed 350+ participants (a 40% increase from 2024) from Turkey, Europe, and beyond – we’re excited to announce ISTC 2026!
Join us in the vibrant heart of Istanbul – the ultimate Europe-Asia gateway – on May 21-22, 2026, at the Elite World Grand Istanbul Küçükyalı Hotel for two full days of inspiration, collaboration, and transformation.
May 21: Hands-On Tutorial Day – Dive deep into practical workshops. May 22: Conference Day – Ignite your mind with keynotes, sessions, and panels.
Under the visionary guidance of our Program Chair, Professor Tanja Vos (EuroSTAR 2025 Program Chair, TESTAR.org Lead, Pioneer of Critical Testing Literacy), this year’s theme “Fusion Forward: Transforming Traditions in Testing” celebrates the perfect synergy of time-tested practices and cutting-edge innovations.
This is YOUR platform to bridge research and industry, share transformative insights, and shape the future of software quality with 400+ forward-thinking professionals. Submit your proposal today and be part of the revolution!
Focus Areas
We seek bold proposals that fuse traditional testing wisdom with tomorrow’s innovations, bridging human expertise, AI, and emerging practices. Topics include but are not limited to:
Revitalizing Traditions
- Shift-Left & DevOps Quality Fusion: Integrating testing earlier in the lifecycle
- Performance, Security & Reliability: Evolving classic practices for modern stacks
- API, Microservices & Mobile Testing: Time-honored methods meet distributed systems
- Critical Testing Literacy (Tanja Vos’s framework): Building foundational thinking skills
Pioneering Fusion
- AI/ML in Testing: Intelligent automation, predictive analytics, and test generation
- Human-AI Symbiosis: Upskilling teams, ethical AI oversight, and trust-building
- MLOps & Beyond: Testing AI models, self-healing tests, and generative AI tools
- Innovation Frontiers: Quantum-ready testing, sustainable quality practices
Pro Tip: Proposals blending real-world case studies with research insights will shine brightest!
Submission Guidelines
Presentation Formats
- Tutorials: Hands-on, collaborative learning. Full-day (6 hours) or Half-day (3 hours) –for May 21!
- Standard Sessions: 30 minutes (25-min talk + Q&A)
- Panel Discussions: Dynamic expert conversations
Expertise Levels
- Foundation: Essentials for all
- Intermediate: Practical implementations
- Expert: Strategic leadership & complex solutions
Selection Criteria (Curated by Tanja Vos & Team)
- Theme Alignment & Innovation
- Practical Takeaways
- Originality + Real-World Proof
- Engagement Power
- Technical Depth
- Inclusivity
Pro Tip: Multiple Ideas? Submit Separately!
If you have several innovative talk ideas, we strongly encourage submitting separate proposals for each one.
Why? Each proposal is evaluated independently – giving every strong idea its best shot at selection. Boost your chances and help us build the most diverse, impactful program!
Key Dates
- Call for Papers Opens: November 3, 2025
- Proposal Deadline: December 31, 2025
- Acceptance Notification: February 2, 2026
- Intro Video Due: March 9, 2026
- Slides for Review: April 27, 2026
Exclusive Speaker Benefits
We’re investing in YOU – because top talent drives our community forward:
- ✅ Free Full Conference Pass
- ✅ 2 Nights Accommodation at Elite World Grand Istanbul
- ✅ Travel Reimbursement: Up to €400
- ✅ VIP Speaker Dinner + Networking Events
- ✅ Professional Session Recording (yours to keep & share!)
- ✅ Global Promotion: Featured on ISTC Website, LinkedIn
- ✅ Certificate & Swag
Submission Requirements (Keep it Simple!)
- Title & Format
- Abstract (max 300 words)
- 3 Key Takeaways
- Your Bio (+ speaking experience)
Join the Legacy
ISTC 2026 isn’t just a conference – it’s a movement to transform testing traditions into unstoppable futures. With Tanja Vos at the helm and 400+ innovators awaiting your voice, this is where research meets reality.
Let’s fuse forward – together! 🚀
Questions? Email [email protected]
Powered by the ISTQB Conference Network – Turkey’s Gateway to Global Testing Excellence
