Education Minister has announced over 300
schools across 53 clusters across Northern Ireland will receive
funding of up to £5,000 to host Research-Informed Conferences
during the 2026-27 academic year.
This initiative is part of the Department's Making Best
Practice, Common Practice Programme within
TransformED, which aims to strengthen the
connection between educational research and classroom practice,
supporting teachers to access and apply high-quality evidence in
ways that improve outcomes for children and young people.
Commenting on the announcement, said: I have committed to
providing regular access to educational research to all teachers
and I am pleased to see the positive response to this latest
opportunity under the Making Best Practice Common Practice
programme. Our schools have once again embraced this opportunity
to share and apply research for the benefit of their pupils.
This continued investment reflects my commitment, through
TransformED, to place high-quality teaching and learning at the
centre of education reform. The conferences announced today will
provide valuable opportunities for teachers and school leaders to
engage with evidence, share expertise and strengthen professional
learning across the education system.
Reflecting on the response from schools across all sectors,
phases and geographic locations in Northern Ireland, the Minister
added: The levels of collaborations across schools have been
truly impressive, and the quality of applications has been
consistently high. This demonstrates an innovative range of
thematic approaches.
I look forward to seeing the positive impact that this continued
investment in professional learning will have on the lives of
children and young people.
The programme reflects the Department's wider commitment to
investing in sustained, high-quality professional learning for
teachers at all stages of their careers.
A list of the successful applicants has been published on the
Department's website at: www.education-ni.gov.uk/publications/research-informed-conference-expression-interest-successful-schools-202627
