ESAI Annual Conference 2026

Almost fifty years ago, a group of innovative educators in Ireland convened a ‘Meeting of Scholars’ in Galway to discuss, explore and interrogate ideas about education and research in education. At the conference in 2026, ESAI will celebrate that initial meeting in the University of Galway with the theme ‘From Legacy to Futures: Celebrating ESAI’s First Meeting of Scholars and 50 Years of Irish Educational Research’.

As educators, we look to our past to learn from it and we will use this learning to inform, inspire and illuminate the shape and integrity of the future of educational research. We hold a responsibility to be critically reflective and innovative and envision educational futures that will enable all learners and educators to flourish in an equitable and more sustainable world. ESAI Annual Conference 2026 will be a forum for the dissemination of research that considers past, present and future contributions and influences at local, national and international levels.

We invite attendees from all educational settings, from across all academic disciplines in education to this special event.

ESAI is delighted to announce that the keynote speaker at the ESAI Conference 2026 will be Prof Joe O’Hara.