SIGCOMM Education Workshop 2026: Networking Education for the AI Generation (A4NE)

Call for Papers

The AI revolution demands we rethink networking education from the ground up. This workshop invites networking researchers and educators to develop frameworks for AI integration that deepen understanding rather than shortcut learning, transform labs and assessment for contemporary realities, and forge interdisciplinary pathways connecting networking to emerging topics, policy, and societal impact. Building on the successful 2020 SIGCOMM Education Workshop, we channel this momentum to develop evidence-based, community-driven solutions, to modernize networking curricula, preparing students for the next generation of AI-integrated networks.

Networking education faces unprecedented opportunities for innovation. Generative AI is transforming pedagogy, yet educators lack effective integration strategies. Cross-disciplinary "Networking+X" courses are emerging to serve both CS majors and students in policy, social sciences, and humanities. Hands-on labs increasingly leverage testbeds like FABRIC, while new pedagogies (flipped classrooms, interactive settings) reshape learning. Open educational resources can democratize access to quality materials.

We invite submissions that advance the future of networking education. We encourage submissions from educators, early-career faculty, industry practitioners, and others who may not typically publish in traditional networking venues. Papers will undergo a constructive review process, with the goal of accepting most submissions. The workshop will be hybrid to maximize inclusivity and participation. In‑person attendance is not required for submission or acceptance. Remote participation and asynchronous engagement will be supported. We welcome research papers, experience reports, and position papers that explore innovative approaches to teaching networking at all levels, including:

• Computing Education Research: Empirical or theoretical studies (controlled studies, longitudinal analyses, measurement work).
• Experience Reports and Tools: Teaching interventions, curricula, tools, reflections on AI integration.
• Position and Curricular Initiative Papers: Curriculum design, program structures, broader issues like ethics, and the impact of AI integration on student learning.
• Design and Demo Papers: Descriptions of educational tools, platforms, testbeds.
• Work-in-Progress and Emerging Ideas: Ongoing studies, pilot data, conceptual frameworks.

We welcome two kinds of submissions:

• Short papers: 1–4 pages.
• Long papers: 5–10 pages.

Authors are also encouraged to share artifacts with stable URLs for their work.

Please also visit the workshop's main web page.

Topics of Interest

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• AI Integration: Generative AI for progressive abstraction, assessment design, lab automation, and supporting student learning.
• Networking+X Courses: Cross-disciplinary approaches connecting networking to policy, security, censorship, and societal issues; courses for non-CS majors.
• Labs & Hands-on Learning: FABRIC testbed experimentation, real-world data access, and practical networking experiences.
• Course Modernization: Redesigning introductory and advanced networking courses for contemporary topics.
• Teaching Pedagogies: Flipped classrooms, interactive settings, and innovative instructional approaches.
• Undergraduate Research Mentorship & Pedagogy: Strategies for mentoring undergraduates in networking research; integrating research experiences into courses.
• Assessment & Evaluation: Evaluating learning outcomes, broadening participation, and measuring pedagogical effectiveness.
• Open Educational Resources: Textbooks, assignments, and curricular materials for community sharing.

Submission Instructions

Submission Format: Use ACM's LaTeX template with \documentclass[sigconf, 10pt, anonymous]{acmart}. Submissions are non-archival. Accepted papers will be discussed in themed panels led by Program Committee members.

Please submit your paper via https://a4ne26.hotcrp.com/.

Important Dates

Organizers

Program Committee