Past event

Research making a difference in the classroom: BERA Teacher Conference

25 Apr 2026

The inaugural BERA Teacher Network Conference is dedicated to teachers and teacher-researchers, and will spotlight the transformative power of educational research in educational practice.

The conference aims to highlight the interconnected nature between educational research and classroom practice, celebrating innovative ideas and evidence-based approaches to enhance teaching and learning. Attendees will explore how research is at the heart of educational improvement and will get introduced to research that is practice-based. They will also hear success stories from across education phases and settings and engage in discussions on the role of research in addressing pressing classroom challenges.

Join us as we bring together educational researchers, teachers from primary, secondary, and further education, teacher-researchers, and leaders to empower classrooms and educational contexts with meaningful, impactful insights.

Teacher conference Flipbook

Exhibitor

Camtree

Website

Exhibitor

Research Box

Website

Huish Centre

Website

Keynote speakers

Rae Snape, Ms

Headteacher at Milton Road Primary School

Rae Snape – Experienced Primary Head teacher, NPQEL (National Professional Qualification for Executive Leadership) Author of The Headteacher’s Handbook and Editor of the Curriculum Compendium, published by Bloomsbury. Author of The...

Tanya Ovenden-Hope, Professor

Professor of Education & Dean at Plymouth Marjon University

Professor Tanya Ovenden-Hope is a leading educationalist and professor of education at Plymouth Marjon University, serving as Dean of Place and Social Purpose and leading Marjon University Cornwall. Her work focuses on social inequity,...

Chairs

Juliana Mandra, Dr

Teacher/Researcher at Primary School Education

Juliana is an experienced primary school teacher and educational researcher. She is co-convenor of the BERA Teacher Network. She holds a PhD in education and her research interests include the school curriculum and pedagogy within the evolving...

Jo Fletcher-Saxon, Ms

Assistant Principal & PhD candidate at University of Sunderland

Jo Fletcher-Saxon is a PhD candidate with Sunderland University and an assistant principal for teaching and learning at Ashton Sixth Form College. Jo’s remit at the college includes leadership of a mix of curriculum and support areas including...

Paul Davies, Dr

Deputy Head Pedagogy and Learning at Queens College

Paul Davies is Deputy Head Pedagogy and Learning at Queen’s College, London, an independent day school for girls in central London. He oversees development of teaching and learning at the school, as well as being the professional tutor for...

Layla Pearce, Mrs

Lecturer at Gwent College

I have recently returned to full-time lecturing in an FE college teaching FE and HE. Prior to this role I held other roles in the college including Action Research Manager. I am also undertaking a PHD part time examining pedagogical practice on...

Jolene Carter, Mrs

Director of Research and Development at Esteem Multi Academy Trust

Jolene Carter is Director of Research and Development at Esteem Multi-Academy Trust, a MAT specialising in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Alternative Provision (AP). She leads the Trust’s professional learning strategy,...