Teacher Education and Education Futures in a Complex World

Global Network of Deans of Education (GNDE) Symposium
Edinburgh, Wednesday 2 - Friday 4 September 2026

GNDE Logo

Moray House School of Education and Sport, University of Edinburgh, is delighted to be hosting the second in-person GNDE Symposium.

Through the Symposium theme, we aim to create an interdisciplinary space for critical reflection, dialogue and innovation. Participants will engage with key questions around how education can respond to and anticipate societal challenges - such as political pressures on education systems, workforce sustainability, and the evolving role of universities in preparing teachers for uncertain futures.

The symposium will foreground the perspectives of those working directly in education and teacher education, while also connecting with policy and strategic voices shaping the wider educational ecosystem. We anticipate colleagues from UNESCO will participate, sharing global insights and themes during the event.

A key feature of the symposium will be its collaborative ethos: encouraging participants to imagine new possibilities for education that are contextually responsive, ethically grounded, and future focused. By bringing together diverse expertise and experiences, the event aims to foster actionable insights and partnerships that advance both research and practice in the field. 

Global Network of Deans of Education

Programme

Day 1 – Wednesday 2 September 2026

Schedule of day one
9:00–10:00am Registration & welcome refreshments
10:00–10:30am Opening ceremony
10:30–12:00pm Teacher education and education futures in a complex world – framing the questions
12:00–1:30pm Lunch & informal networking
1:30–3:00pm Provocations and discussions – dialogue / collaboration groups
3:00–3:30pm Coffee break
3:30–4:15pm Provocations panel
5:30–7:00pm Welcome and networking event

Day 2 – Thursday 3 September 2026

Schedule of day two
9:30–10:30am A core knowledge base for teacher education – do we need one?
10:30–11:00am Refreshments
11:00–12:30pm Innovation & solutions forum
12:30–1:30pm Lunch
1:30–3:00pm Teachers as lifelong learning educators
3:00–3:15pm Coffee break
3:15–4.00pm Future of Education Dialogues
7:30pm Symposium dinner at Canopy Restaurant

Day 3 – Friday 4 September 2026

Schedule of day three
9:00–10:30am GNDE’s global agenda – moving forward in partnership
10:30–11:00am Refreshments
11:00–12:30pm Synthesis and commitments
12:30–1:00pm Closing ceremony
1:00–2:00pm Lunch

Keynote speakers

Speakers' notes, bios and photos will be added shortly.

Accommodation and transport

Travelling from the airport

You can find information regarding travelling from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre on the airport website.

Edinburgh Airport website: Transport information

Travelling in Edinburgh

You can travel within Edinburgh by using either the bus or the tram.

The closest bus stop to Holyrood Campus is Line 35, near the Canongate entrance.

Other buses stop on North and South Bridges which are a short walk away from the campus:

  • Line 3
  • Line 5
  • Line 7
  • Line 14
  • Line 30
  • Line 31
  • Line 33
  • Line 37

The closest tram stop is St Andrew Square, about 15 minutes-walk to the campus

You can also contact local taxi companies:

  • Central Taxis – 0131 229 2468
  • Capital Cars – 0131 777 7777
  • City Cabs – 0131 228 1211

Accommodation

Edinburgh has a wide variety of hotels available. 

The hotels situated the closest to Holyrood Campus are:

Please note these are not recommendations, only a list of hotels available near the campus.

You can also find a map of the campus and a map showing other hotel options within Edinburgh.

Holyrood Campus Map (306.68 KB / PDF)
Edinburgh hotels map (2.16 MB / PDF)

Booking information

Registration fee: £299

Fee includes 

  • Lunch and refreshments each day
  • Welcome networking event on Wednesday 2 September in Holyrood area, Edinburgh EH8 8AQ
  • Dinner on Thursday 3 September at Canopy Kitchen & Courtyard, Edinburgh Future Institute, 1 Lauriston Place Edinburgh, EH3 9EF

The symposium will take place in Paterson's Land on Holyrood campus, Edinburgh EH8 8AQ

Please note the symposium booking fee is non-refundable. 

We will use your personal data to allow us to process your registration, communicate with you and obtain your feedback about this course. We are processing the information about you for these purposes because by registering for the event you give your consent for us to do so.

We will not share information about you with any other third party.

We will hold the personal data you provided us for 12 months after the end of the symposium. Financial data such as a payment record will be held for 7 years. We do not use profiling or automated decision-making processes.

Read our full privacy notice


To book a place on the symposium please proceed with payment and complete the booking form

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