Network
BERA Teacher Education Advancement Network (TEAN)
The BERA Teacher Education Advancement Network (TEAN) is a new, inclusive community within BERA that supports and champions teacher educators across the UK. TEAN brings together teachers, teacher educators, and researchers to engage with and contribute to the evolving field of teacher education.
TEAN will support a wide network of professionals to be curious about research, engage critically with evidence, and develop as researchers. TEAN has long been known for its encouraging and developmental ethos, and it continues to nurture the academic and professional growth of both early career and more experienced teacher educators.
TEAN’s focus is on creating a strong sense of community that reflects all jurisdictions of the United Kingdom bringing together the expert voices from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. This allows us to fully understand the issues and pressures facing teacher educators today and we are responsive in guiding our membership through rapid, and sometimes challenging, changes in policy and practice.
As part of BERA, TEAN will deliver a wide-ranging and impactful programme of scholarly and professional activities, including:
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An annual TEAN Conference offering a space to share research, practice, and innovation in teacher education
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A series of webinars exploring key themes and challenges for the teacher education community
- Plans for publications that showcase practice-based and practitioner-led scholarship, and build on the ethos of the previous TEAN journal
TEAN also complements and connects with BERA’s existing Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and networks, including the Teacher Education SIG, the BERA Teacher Network, the Practitioner Research SIG and the British Curriculum Forum. As it evolves within BERA, TEAN will continue to serve as a hub for collaboration and capacity-building across these communities.
TEAN has played a key role in shaping the professional learning infrastructure for teacher educators in the UK for over 15 years. Having been hosted by the University of Cumbria since its inception, the network now enters a new phase of sustainability and growth within BERA from August 2025. BERA acknowledges the significant contribution made by the University of Cumbria and the TEAN executive to the development of the teacher education community, and is committed to honouring and building upon that legacy.
How to Get Involved
TEAN activities are open to all, but full participation and discounted access to events are available to BERA members. As the network becomes fully integrated into BERA, teacher educators and researchers who wish to stay involved with TEAN are encouraged to join BERA and sign up to the TEAN network.
To receive updates about TEAN events and opportunities:
You can also follow TEAN via BERA’s social media channels for the latest news and updates.