The ICSEI 2024 conference in Dublin explored international perspectives on the role and impact of quality professional education in enhancing school effectiveness and improvement. The conference highlighted the crucial roles of teachers and school leaders, supported by a growing body of evidence on the positive impact of research, policy, and practice collaborations.

The theme celebrated the synergy between initial teacher education and ongoing professional development. High-quality teaching and learning were supported through various means, including induction programs, mentoring, professional learning networks, data teams, school-university partnerships, knowledge mobilization, collaborative school improvement planning, and policies that promoted teacher professionalism. Multiple stakeholders, such as education scholars, researchers, teachers, school leaders, professional organizations, community leaders, professional development providers, and policymakers, contributed to the cumulative impact on quality professional education.

The conference explored diverse perspectives and approaches to professional education and its impact on teaching and learning globally. In addition to the main theme, several sub-themes were identified, including:

• Evolving research and evidence base for leadership education and capacity building
• Collaborative and sustainable improvement leadership
• Leveraging research and data for inquiry, innovation, and professional learning
• Engaged dialogue between politicians, policymakers, researchers, educators, and the school community
• Policy and practice learning to support teacher and school leader development
• Implications of the COVID-19 crisis on education systems
• Promoting equity, inclusion, diversity, social justice, global citizenship, and environmental sustainability in schools and education systems
• This comprehensive approach aimed to foster a deeper understanding and implementation of effective professional education practices worldwide.

Congress Keynotes

1. Emer Smyth: “School effects on broader adolescent development: evidence from Ireland.”
2. Mohammed Elmeski: “Leading for learning effectiveness and improvement: Examples of promising synergies from Africa.”
3. Carol Campbell: “The quest for humanity in educational improvement: professional learning for student learning.”
4. Claire Shewbridge: “What if…. We create the space to think collectively about the future of teaching?