ASE Annual Conference 2026 Programme Highlights

​ 

The ASE is delighted to be hosting its Annual Conference at the University of Nottingham from 8th to 10th January 2026. The three days include over 220 sessions with keynotes, speakers and workshops offering a broad scope of professional development, along with a fantastic exhibition of publishers, exam boards, organisations and resource suppliers, as well as social events and more. 

Our full programme will be launched in September, but we're pleased to announce some advance details below, including a summary of the key audience focus days, and our confirmed keynote sessions. 

ALL THREE DAYS: Sessions for both Primary and 11-19 are threaded throughout all three days

Thursday: Leadership, Teacher Developers (those who support and develop teachers throughout their professional journey), International sessions, BERG (Biology Education Research Group), PLUS Primary and 11-19/FE&Skills 

Friday: Technicians, Early Career Teachers (ECTs) and Post-16/FE/Skills sessions PLUS Primary and 11-16 sessions 

Saturday: Inspiration and Community, Research, PLUS Primary and 11-19/FE&Skills

Social events: There will be plenty of opportunity to network and relax with new friends and colleagues. There will also be specific ticketed sessions which will be announced in due course. 

 

Ticket booking will be open in late summer / early autumn. 

Presidential Address and Keynote Speakers

Professor Louise Archer
UCL Institute of Education
ASE President / Karl Mannheim Chair of Sociology of Education

Join Professor Louise Archer, Karl Mannheim Professor at UCL, and ASE President, on the first day of conference, as she shares powerful insights from her groundbreaking research on educational identities and inequalities across STEM. With over a decade leading the ASPIRES project, her work sheds light on issues of class, gender and ethnicity—offering fresh perspectives to spark equity and inclusion in education.

11-19 Keynote: Professor Anu Ojha OBE

Don’t miss the chance to hear from Professor Anu Ojha, Director of Championing Space at the UK Space Agency. Discover how space is shaping global agendas, inspiring minds, and driving international collaboration. Gain insights into the UK’s vision for outreach, engagement, and the future of space exploration.

Keynote for Early Career Teachers: Great minds on science education

James de Winter
ITE/Early Career and Research Consultant, University of Cambridge 

Teachers need to be aware of educational research so that they can use it to inform and shape their classroom practice. What have some of the best minds in science education had to say about teaching and learning science, and what might it mean for your classroom? You could read all the books yourself, but if you don’t have time, come and listen to what I have found of value from reading as many books and papers as I have been able to over the last 25 years. From abstracted wisdom to practical ideas and all points in between.

International Keynote: The OECD Teaching Compass

Miho Taguma, Project Lead for The Teaching Compass, OECD 

Ready to rethink the future of education? Explore the OECD Teaching Compass—a powerful framework that positions teaching as a driving force for change. Discover how teacher agency, well-being and competencies can align with bold curriculum goals and system transformation. Be inspired by a new vision for purposeful, future-ready education.

Primary Keynote: Reflections on the 2025 Primary Science State of the Nations Report

Lynne Bianchi, Professor / Director SEERIH, University of Manchester 
Martin Pollard, Chief Executive, Primary Science Teaching Trust
Clare Harvey, Chief Executive, The Ogden Trust

Curious about the future of primary science education? Join us for exclusive insights into the 2025 State of the Nations Report, shaped by a UK-wide survey. Discover key trends, challenge the implications for teaching and leadership, and help influence tomorrow’s policy. Be part of the conversation driving change.

Keynote: Audrey Cameron

Join an inspiring session led by Dr Audrey Cameron—Chancellor's Fellow at the University of Edinburgh—whose groundbreaking work bridges science education and British Sign Language. Learn about the Scottish Sensory Centre's BSL Glossary project and how inclusive collaboration is shaping access, equity and excellence in science for deaf learners across the UK.

Keynote for Teacher Developers: The Curriculum Review

Jon Hutchinson, Director of Curriculum & Professional Development, Reach Foundation

Calling all science leads: this session spotlights essential insights from the Curriculum Review that directly impact your curriculum design. Gain clarity on key takeaways, understand what requires action, and leave equipped to shape meaningful and future-focused science learning in your school.

Conference Panel Sessions

This year we are including a number of exciting panel discussions, based around key themes and audience groupings. 

  • Panel session on International AI in Science Education 
  • Panel session on International Sustainability and Climate Change 
  • Panel session on Leading Secondary Science - Navigating the Challenges 
  • Panel session on Leading Primary Science - Navigating the Challenges 
  • Panel session on Working Together to Improve Science Education

Frontier Science Lectures

Each day of conference will feature lectures from cutting-edge science research, courtesy of our Frontier Science lectures; sharing science inspiration that goes beyond science education and features many of Nottingham’s eminent horizon-scanning science research topics, from both Nottingham and Nottingham Trent Universities.

Navigation