IOE Insights
Episodes
When teacher education becomes a lifelong return | Academia et al
20 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Professor Caroline Daly explores the powerful pull of the IOE and how it shaped her academic identity over decades. She discusses how returning as a m...
AI tech wearables and ethics | Research Ethics
17 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Hans Svennevig joins Dr Hakan Ergül to explore the ethical challenges that emerge as researchers use AI tools and wearable technologies.Hakan and Han...
Painting our way through milestones with a splash of colour | The PhD Sketchbook
15 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What does a PhD journey look like when you paint it rather than write it? Louise and Tooba explore the first major milestones that shaped their PhD r...
Following a new generation to understand childhood and inequality | Research for the Real World
13 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What does it take to create a study designed to last for generations?Professor Alissa Goodman talks about the design of Generation New Era, a new birt...
The power of language, identity and education | Academia et al
30 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This conversation traces Professor Li Wei’s path from classroom teacher to Director and Dean of the UCL Institute of Education, showing how lived ex...
Disinformation, misinformation and conspiracy theories | The Staffroom
27 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In an increasingly digital landscape, what can teachers do to guide, safeguard and support their students?Teacher training is largely designed for an ...
Worked more, still got less | Research for the Real World
23 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
We explore retirement readiness, gender gaps in pension wealth, and the real-life consequences of inequality across the life course.Dr Amy Harrison sp...
Painting our way through research, belonging, and London | The PhD Sketchbook
18 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What does a PhD journey look like when you paint it rather than write it?Louise and Tooba are two international doctoral students at the UCL Institute...
Children’s sleep routines: bedtimes, dreams and how sleep affects mood and school | Sleep Education Research Lab
16 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
10-year-old Sofia hosts a friendly conversation with her guest Shania, a 9-year-old from Mumbai, about what sleep looks like in their day-to-day lives...
Sleep, memory and academic performance | Sleep Education and Research Lab
13 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
High school teacher Mustafa Sakarwala speaks with Nandini Adusumilli (PhD student at Sleep and Education Research Lab at UCL) about why sleep is a cor...
Being and staying curious | The Staffroom
13 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Chloe Morgan and David O'Connell share their journeys to becoming UCL advanced facilitators. They join this episode’s hosts, Mark Quinn and Nancy Ka...
I saw it as a thing to be ashamed of | Lived Experience of Dyscalculia
10 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Peter tells the story of how he was diagnosed with dyscalculia at 10 years old.Liz and Helen chat with Peter about his dyscalculia diagnosis. They exp...
How poor housing shapes school outcomes and why place matters | Research for the Real World
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Mark Quinn speaks with Dr Gergo Baranyi about researching environment and health with a lifecourse approach, using data that follows people over time....
Which Green Day song helps you get to the train station on time? | Lived Experience of Dyscalculia
06 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Scott and Mia discuss the negative impact dyscalculia has had on their wellbeing.Scott and Mia talk to Liz and Helen about the negative emotions they ...
Living with dyscalculia | Lived Experience of Dyscalculia
03 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Rose shares the daily challenges she faces as an adult living with dyscalculia.Liz Herbert and Helen Williams speak with Rose about how dyscalculia af...
Preview: How we're in it for the long haul, following generations of data
27 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What if we could trace the arc of a generation from the very beginning to understand how our earliest environments shape our adult lives? Coming up on...
Messages for the Senior Leadership Team | The Staffroom
30 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Teddy Morgan advises leaders on how they can help fellow ECTs to thrive in their first years.Teddy, Mark and Elaine talk about the importance of feeli...
Building sustainable creative media ecosystems in our Olympic boroughs | Creative Landscapes in East London
28 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
How can we sustain creative futures in our local communities?In this final episode, Anne, Barry and Gus join our host Liza to discuss how established ...
Culturally responsive pedagogy? | The Staffroom
16 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Wilton Lodge says it's not enough to just decolonise our curriculum.Wilton, an Associate Professor (Teaching) at UCL, discusses how teachers can co...
Learning teaching: Why mindset matters and what this means for mentors | The Staffroom
21 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tessa Blair (East London Teaching School Hub) tells us how mentors can support the development of positive orientations to learning.She tells Mark and...
Empowering creative talent | Creative Landscapes in East London
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How do you support the next generation of creative leaders?Explore how East London’s creative ecosystem nurtures talent after the 2012 Olympics.Host...
Bringing balance to the 'reading wars' debate | The Staffroom
07 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A holistic view of how phonics, writing, reading and language come together to make a child truly literate.Dominic Wyse and Charlotte Hacking tell Mar...
The fight to protect Black hair in schools
17 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ruby Williams was told her hair was too big for school - and she refused to accept it. In this episode, Ruby and her mother Kate speak with Alison Wig...
Unearthing the creative pulse in our East London Olympic boroughs | Creative Landscapes in East London
30 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we hear about the cultural landscape within the Olympic boroughs, and the evolution that has occurred in the wake of the 2012 Olympic...
Can UK universities survive and thrive? | Research for the Real World
11 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As headlines warn of university closures and staff cuts, Professor Huw Morris offers a deeper look at the forces reshaping UK higher education. In con...
Professional learning – it's not just from the neck up! | The Staffroom
18 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Louise Stoll tells us her story of 'improve-isation'.Louise tells Mark and Elaine about her career to date.She talks about th...
Britain's got (international student) talent - but what do they really think of them? | Research for the Real World
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr Benjamin Abrams speaks with Hend Aly and Dr Heather Rolfe about their research into public attitudes and how these views shape mig...
Wellbeing? Don't give me things to pretty up my life | The Staffroom
04 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What does supporting teacher wellbeing look like? And how can school leaders create a culture of wellbeing?Samantha O'Sullivan's research find...
Navigating the economics of UK higher education | Research for the Real World
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Professor Gill Wyness shares her expertise on the intricacies of university funding, the student finance system, and the ongoing efforts to ensure equ...
Beyond consent: Ethical dilemmas in co-design research | Research Ethics
20 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Professor Eileen Kennedy shares her experiences regarding the ethical dilemmas encountered in the co-design context, where research participants are a...
Preview: Is higher education's sustainability at risk? | Research for the Real World
15 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We explore the growing financial pressures on UK universities and what they mean for the future of higher education. From frozen tuition fees to the r...
Embracing chaos: Creativity, agency and ethics in digital storytelling | Research Ethics
13 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Michelle Cannon joins Dr Hakan Ergül to explore the ethical dilemmas that arise when using digital technologies for creative work in the classroom...
Making sure everyone matters: Evelyn Forde tells 'herstory' | The Staffroom
06 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Evelyn Forde shares her lived experience, from not feeling she mattered in school to becoming headteacher of the year.Evelyn tells Mark and Elaine abo...
Empowering agency: Collaborating with children in the context of migration | Research Ethics
30 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sara Young reflects on her experiences collaborating with children in the context of migration.How feasible is it to uphold ethical principles amid...
Has creativity gone out of fashion? No, it's more important than ever | The Staffroom
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah and Phoebe from Freshwater Theatre show how drama builds creativity and empathy... and can improve wellbeing for teachers too.Sarah and Phoebe e...
Working with/for children: Documenting social change | Research Ethics
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What ethical questions does working with young children raise? A conversation with Dr Karen Wilkes.How should researchers approach collaborating with ...
"If we don't create opportunities for talk, we build in disadvantage" | The Staffroom
14 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Julie Dockrell talks to us about how oral language is the foundation for all other learning and what the implications of this are for teachers.Julie t...
"We are all musical" | Research for the Real World
10 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There is no form of culture or society without music – it's something that's part of us all. We take a look at the power of music, and how ...
"Asking the awkward questions" | The Staffroom
31 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Guy Claxton takes us beyond simplified conceptions of the learning sciences and explains why teachers are sometimes vulnerable to fad...
The state of arts and media education and what’s at play here | Research for the Real World
27 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Those in creative sectors have made it loud and clear that there’s been a lack of funding and a disregard for the arts in the school curriculum. We ...
Three experts share their personal data journeys | UK Data Service and CLOSER
20 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The IOE Podcast is delighted to share with you an episode from the UK Data Service's ‘Experts’ Expert Podcast’ series . Professor Jennifer Symon...
How do you improve language learning and intercultural understanding? | Research for the Real World
13 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We look at the potential power of learning and understanding other languages to take on the challenge of bridging cultural differences in an increasin...
Preview: Reminding you why arts, culture and language education are important | Research for the Real World
20 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It won’t come as a surprise to realise that the arts are struggling right now. This is certainly not just a UK-centric issue. When you look at how t...
From the early years school to the research school | ECF Staffroom
13 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Sally Adams tells us about her new role leading adult learning – and the ways teaching can be a great stepping stone for a host of ...
What happens to the ‘could have beens’ who decided not to teach? | ECF Staffroom
29 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mark and Elaine hear from researcher Emily Macleod, who says that if we want more people to try out teaching, we have to stop thinking of it as a voca...
“Beware of anyone who claims to know it all.” | ECF Staffroom
07 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As human beings, how do we learn? In this episode, Dr Rebecca Gordon explores how educational neuroscience can be used in the classroom. Rebecca remin...
The happy teacher: ECT Emily on the importance of relationships | ECF Staffroom
11 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Emily Taylor, ECT in Airdale Academy in Castleford, talks about how her strong bond with her mentor has supported her personally and professionally, a...
Lessons from Catalonia | ECF Staffroom
27 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Cesc Masdeu discusses how mentoring and professional development can transform school cultures and contribute to institutional change...
Thinking about life through all of their eyes | ECF Staffroom
13 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Step out of your bubble: Raf Alleyne, Assistant Principal at London Screen Academy, tells us about the importance of reflecting on Equality, Diversity...
Protest? What's the point? | Research for the Real World
29 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this podcast, Jason Ilagan hears from Dr Benjamin Abrams about a theory on how and why movements such as the 1789 French Revolution, the Arab Sprin...
How do I get that next job? Start with these steps | Academia et al.
23 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, hosts Dr Keri Wong and Dr Alina Pelikh dive into the particular and sometimes daunting process of job interviews within academia. Let...
Improving childcare and early years education | Research for the Real World
15 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What changes would benefit the UK early years education system? And what’s it like dealing with government and parliament to make funding and policy...
‘PhD from A to Z’: What can I do to maximise my PhD journey? | Academia et al.
10 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is being a PhD researcher just a continuation of being a university student? No! This episode's guest, Dr. Jenny Chanfreau, shares advice on how t...
How can researchers help politicians and policymakers do their jobs better? | Research for the Real World
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The winners of elections in the UK and abroad need to ensure the right conditions are in place to allow cutting-edge ideas developed by experts in our...
Why engaging with the media (as a PhD) will help your career | Academia et al
24 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Academia et al is back with three new episodes exploring life as an early career academic! Today we're thinking about how to use media engagement ...
Preview: Politics, policy and protest | Research for the Real World
17 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know that in 2024, more voters than ever in history will take part in elections across the world? In this season of Research for the Real Worl...
What’s the link between decision-making and eating disorders? | Research for the Real World
10 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this podcast we hear about research that seeks to understand the causes of eating disorders and develop innovative treatments and support. Dr Amy H...
How do we know if mental health support for people affected by humanitarian emergencies is working? | Research for the Real World
22 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this podcast we take a closer look at international development and global health research that shapes the way we respond during times of crisis. D...
Sleep and the tales our mental health might tell | Research for the Real World
08 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You’re not dreaming! There’s so much going on in the field of sleep and research right now. We take a closer look at how things have crossed over ...
Preview: 3 ways we're looking at mental health research | Research for the Real World
14 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This season of Research for the Real World is all about mental health, and we’ll be hearing from researchers whose work encompasses such wide-rangin...
"If participants don’t value their learning, then what is left?" | ECF Staffroom
08 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this podcast, Mark Quinn and Dr Polly Glegg talk about what makes great professional learning for teachers and leaders. Polly and Mark, the masterm...
Two men and their experiences of eating disorders
27 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this podcast, we discuss how eating disorder symptoms affect men. We cover what our guests have learned about how to ask for help and care for them...
‘Be ambitious and fail, but don't fail to be ambitious' | ECF Staffroom
26 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this podcast, George Wolstenholme talks about messing up, forgiveness, and being on the way to becoming the teacher he wishes to be. "Everyone...
The history of free school meals: how its past dishes out lessons for future servings | Research for the Real World
15 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This podcast hears about the impact of the UK's School Meals Service on schools and their communities since its inception in 1906, and how it can ...
Fostering strong professional relationships: Find your staffroom friends | ECF Staffroom
12 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Nancy Karmali-Belmonte and Farzana Akther respond to our ECTs' questions, and remind us that looking after wellbeing and being a good teacher are ...
‘Giving ECTs springs to run a marathon’: enthusiasm for UCL’s ECF programme | ECF Staffroom
15 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Mark and Elaine speak to Louise Dwyer, Assistant Headteacher at the Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls, and discuss how the ECF builds upon a growing mo...
What impact do food banks in schools have on children’s learning? | Research for the Real World
11 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In the context of a cost-of-living crisis and increased child poverty, this podcast hears about the growing use of food banks, how they operate and th...
Poverty’s impact on mental health, food insecurity and academic performance | Research for the Real World
27 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This podcast hears how mental health and life chances of young people and their parents are being dramatically affected by post-pandemic cost of livin...
Preview: Cost of living crisis and food insecurity - impact on children and schools | Research for the Real World
13 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In January 2023, the Food Foundation estimated that 24% of UK households with children were living in food insecurity. This staggering figure brings t...
‘Speak up and speak out even if your voice shakes’: Anti-racism is too important to leave to chance | ECF Staffroom
03 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Alison Wiggins, a PGCE and anti-racist lecturer, emphasises the need for teachers to develop their racial literacy – 'naming it changes the powe...
‘Be unapologetically yourself’: ECF Director Hilary Adli shares her recipe for success | ECF Staffroom
13 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hilary talks about her journey as an educator and doles out some advice for early career teachers (ECTs): find the joy, discover your own teacher pers...
Taking the Staffroom on the road: Gatecrashing an Induction Tutor conference in East London | ECF Staffroom
29 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Tapping into the experience of induction tutors, facilitators and an ECF lead to learn about ensuring high-quality mentoring and cultures of professio...
How to find a maths learning app you can count on for your kids | Research for the Real World
18 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This podcast hears about research evidence focused on the role of apps in early education. A key part of Dr Laura Outhwaite’s work includes examinin...
What teaching does to people as people: What can ECF Providers learn from ITE? | ECF Staffroom
15 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Jan shares her wisdom from decades in teaching and teacher education. She reminds us why teaching can be a great – and still greater – profession ...
The evolution of Artificial Intelligence | Research for the Real World
29 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This podcast explores how artificial intelligence (AI) has grown over time and whether it can be used as a tool to support education, rather than as a...
How do we make EdTech work for everyone? | Research for the Real World
14 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Professor Alison Clark-Wilson has a wealth of experience breaking down barriers between research communities and industry through her work with educat...
Families, fatherhood and the future | TCRU@50 Roundtable
07 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This roundtable is the second event in the TCRU@50 programme of activities celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Thomas Coram Research Unit. The spe...
PREVIEW: All things AI, apps and EdTech | Research for the Real World
31 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this season of Research for the Real World, we're highlighting IOE research that provides insights on finding ways for technology to play a mea...
Academia after all | Academia et al.
03 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we talk about what it's like to return for a career in academia, the fluidity of career trajectories, and the importance of suppo...
Careers in civil service | Academia et al
19 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we talk about what it's like to work for the Office for National Statistics and the differences between life in academia and life...
Is the grass greener on the other side of academia? | Academia et al.
05 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we talk about pursuing a career outside of academia and discuss the many transferable skills we have as researchers that can be appli...
Why do people aspire to become teachers? | Research for the Real World
23 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this podcast we hear about whether or not young people who aspire to teach actually become teachers. Most research into teacher recruitment surveys...
Making mentoring meaningful: not just ticking the box | ECF Staffroom
12 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Liam Anderson has packed a huge amount into his 8 years and, when you hear how he fills his days, you will understand how. Fortunately, he is also a m...
What’s going to help recruit and retain teachers? | Research for the Real World
09 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this podcast we hear about whether more pay and fewer working hours should be prioritised to address teacher shortages, and what can be done to sup...
One Hundred Years of Gratitude: 4 old teachers walk into a staffroom | ECF Staffroom
28 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Elaine and Mark add their mere 42 years of classroom experience to the 58 (and counting) of Annie Powell and Helen Lugger, meeting in the staffroom to...
Why is there a worldwide shortage of teachers? | Research for the Real World
23 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We know that teacher shortages are an issue in most developed countries. How has the pandemic and pay played a role, and what can be done to address t...
PREVIEW: How addressing teacher recruitment and retention issues can help improve education | Research for the Real World
14 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It’s widely reported that there are ongoing and severe teacher shortages around the world. But what do we mean by teacher shortages? In terms of cau...
Everything Everywhere All At Once: The life of a Year 1 ECT | ECF Staffroom
17 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Kate Hill, a first year ECT, is an Art teacher at Chosen Hill School near Cheltenham. She talks about having ‘to be like a swan’, projecting calm ...
Context is king: how ECTs are affected by the conditions they are working in and by their own personal dispositions | ECF Staffroom
03 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sofia Eleftheriadou and Lisa Baines are post-doctoral researchers at UCL’s Centre for Educational Leadership. Sofia and Lisa came into the ECF Staff...
Race, multiculture, and conviviality | TCRU@50 Roundtable
02 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This roundtable is the first event in the TCRU@50 programme of activities celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Thomas Coram Research Unit. Followin...
Sharing our love of languages | International Mother Language Day
21 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Join Dr Michael Spence (UCL President & Provost) and Professor Li Wei (IOE Director & Dean) as they discuss their shared love of languages: fr...
The distinct skillsets of good mentoring | ECF Staffroom
10 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Being an ECT cheerleader and a facilitator of their pedagogical progress. Haili Hughes is a writer, expert on mentoring and facilitator on the UCL ECF...
'Survivors' | UCL Centre for Holocaust Education
27 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This podcast aims to bring the latest academic research on the Holocaust into the classroom. ‘Survivors’ is a conversation between Dr Rebecca Clif...
Top advice from our education coach: Remember you’ve got a body… and listen to it | ECF Staffroom
27 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Siobhan Goffee is co-host of the podcast series and coaching programme for educators, ‘Joyblockers – and how to get rid of them’. Siobhan talked...
‘Sometimes it can feel like we have to pick up the pieces and do things for ourselves' | ECF Staffroom
13 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Why the ECF programme needed to be adapted for teachers in special schools Melanie Hogan is the deputy headteacher at Castlebar Special School in Eali...
A "pedagogy of hope"? | Research for the Real World
19 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest Professor Douglas Bourn is aware that “hope” can often be considered an idealistic and utopian term, but if it is grounded in real-life ...
Breaking the cycle of inequality: making space for LGBTQ+ issues on the ECF programme | ECF Staffroom
25 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Emanuele Frascadore is in his first year of the ECF Programme at Rosedale College, in Hayes. He talks with us about how we can create an inclusive env...
What kind of climate change education do we actually need? | Research for the Real World
14 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It’s widely acknowledged that more climate change or sustainability education is needed. What’s probably missing is the kind of learning, aims and...
Doing a week in a day: practitioner inquiry for busy Early Career Teachers | ECF Staffroom
11 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Tayaba Chaudhry, Celeste Leonard and Liv Moran are in their second year of their ECF Programme at Burnage Academy in Manchester. They are joined by Er...
Placing intergenerational learning at the heart of climate change education | Research for the Real World
04 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This podcast features work that helps highlight the role of children and the duty of adults in raising awareness of this crisis and caring for the env...