Moray House Lecturer elected as President of the Scottish Educational Research Association

Dr Paul McMillan, a Lecturer and Researcher at Moray House, was elected as President of the Scottish Educational Research Association (SERA). Dr McMillan has been a committee member since 2019 and served 2 years as Vice President (2023 - 2025). During his term, he hopes to build connections among researchers and educators while promoting collaborations through events, such as the annual SERA conference.

"A highlight and a real privilege"

Dr McMillan's work as both a Lecturer and researcher primarily focuses on teacher education and the professional development of educators, with a special focus on physical education. His impactful research focuses on  teacher learning, vision and adaptive teaching in complex school environments. A central theme of his work is understanding how teacher education can empower teachers to develop and implement their professional values in their practice.

The dual role of Lecturer and researcher not only emphasises Dr McMillan's commitment to teacher education but also highlights vital connections between research and practical teaching. Commenting on being elected to his new role, Dr McMillan said, "Being elected President of SERA has been a highlight and a real privilege. The role allows me to strengthen connections across the wider educational research community in Scotland and beyond."

Reflecting on his career, McMillan noted that his early experience as a school teacher greatly informs his current work in teacher education. Since joining Moray House in 2009, he has focused on encouraging beginning teachers and exploring the relationship between research and professional practice. The recent election as President of SERA stands out as a significant highlight, allowing Paul to further strengthen collaborations across the educational landscape.

SERA

SERA plays a crucial role in advancing educational research across Scotland by bridging the gap between researchers, practitioners and policymakers. Discussing his new position as President, McMillan said, “Over the course of my involvement in SERA, I have developed a wide network of colleagues working across universities in Scotland, which helps create opportunities for collaboration between Moray House and the wider educational research community.”

McMillan aims to lead the association by building connections among researchers and educators while promoting collaborations through events such as the annual SERA Conference.

"My two roles complement each other very well," McMillan commented on the integration of his responsibilities at Moray House and SERA. "Moray House has a strong reputation for research and teacher education, and many of my colleagues here are active within the SERA community… It is always encouraging to see familiar Moray House faces at SERA events and the annual conference "

There are currently eleven active SERA networks, and these continue to be an important and well-supported part of the Association. They provide members with opportunities throughout the year to come together around key themes, collaborate and engage in professional learning. Moray House staff members lead a few of SERA's networks and make important contributions to publications and outputs, such as the Researching Education Bulletin.

The Conference

The annual SERA Conference is a key moment in the year for educational research in Scotland. It brings together researchers, doctoral students, teachers and policymakers to share research and engage in discussion. In recent years, the conference has grown in both size and reach, attracting around 200 delegates each day and now including many international participants.

The 2026 SERA Conference, scheduled for November 18 and 19 at Edinburgh Napier University's Craiglockhart campus, promises to be a key event for its attendees. The theme for the conference, "Living Our Research: Agency, Culture, and the Pursuit of Equity in Education," aims to encourage discussion on the crossing of research and practice. Active SERA networks, ongoing collaborations and professional development will work together to strengthen education in Scotland. There is a call for paper proposals with a deadline of 5 June. 

As it further reinforces the association's readiness for new initiatives and opportunities for collaboration, the leadership of SERA, under Dr McMillan, seeks to advance its mission of enhancing educational practices across the country.

Related information:

SERA networks

Paul McMillan