Venue: University of Aberdeen, MacRobert Buildings
Dates: 19th to 21st November 2025
Registration for the SERA 2025 has now closed
Education: Open to all?
We invite researchers and practitioners working in Scottish, UK and international contexts to share their insights under the theme of Education: Open to all? While education is widely regarded as a fundamental right, it remains inaccessible to many due to socio-economic disparities, cultural differences, geographical isolation, and systemic inequalities. Building on previous SERA conference themes of reconnection and the challenges of living in a fragile world – as well as the work across the SERA networks – this conference seeks to examine how inclusive modalities can shape learning environments that enable individuals to realise their full potential, regardless of background or personal circumstances.
Expanding access to education requires critical engagement with key issues, including education policy and politics, interdisciplinary research and practice, technology integration, transformative curriculum perspectives, inclusive teaching and assessment practices, critical pedagogies, and key insights about professional, community and vocational learning. SERA Conference 2025 aims not only to provide a platform for discussing the challenges but also to foster new dialogues and collaborative approaches that contribute to more equitable and accessible educational futures.
The following guiding questions from practical, conceptual, and empirical perspectives offer a starting point for all potential delegates:
- What are the key barriers – social, economic, political, or systemic – that prevent education from being open to all?
- How can education systems be reimagined to address issues of exclusion, marginalisation, and inequality?
- What historical and philosophical perspectives can inform contemporary efforts to make education more inclusive and accessible?
- How can themes and concepts such as citizenship, community-focused learning, lifelong learning, and sustainability contribute to creating equity?
- How can shared knowledges, partnerships, and diverse forms of learning – such as vocational and community-based education – support equitable access and challenge traditional hierarchies of knowledge?
- How can digital learning, technological advancements, and artificial intelligence support or hinder education and assessment within and beyond formal settings?
- How can research – including innovative methodologies and ethical approaches – contribute to reform and action towards inclusive and equitable educational opportunities?
- What pedagogical practices best support adaptability, access, resilience, and equitable learning opportunities for diverse learners?
SERA Conference Dinner and Social Events
Civic Reception Event: Wednesday 19 November at 7:00 pm
All SERA delegates are invited to attend a Civic Reception, which will take place at Aberdeen Town House, Broad Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1AQ. The reception will be hosted by the Lord Provost of Aberdeen (or a representative) on behalf of Aberdeen City Council, celebrating the SERA Annual Conference and the educational links within the city. This event offers an opportunity for delegates to meet and network in one of Aberdeen’s civic buildings, situated in the middle of the city centre. Light refreshments will be provided, and we encourage delegates to join us for this concluding part to Day 1 of the conference.
Education in the North – The Carrying Stream: Wednesday 19 November at 6:30 pm (Online Event)
Running alongside the SERA Annual Conference, this free online event celebrates the 60th anniversary of Education in the North, a journal heavily linked to the Northeast of Scotland, with an interest in education across the northern hemisphere. The Carrying Stream event brings together editors and storytellers from Canada, Scotland, and Norway to share reflections on education, culture, and language, and to explore the way Indigenous and folk knowledge continue to shape educational practice. The event will be hosted by Catherine Francis, with contributions from Jackie Ross, Jamie Fairbarin, Beth Cross, and others. You can sign up here.
Conference Dinner and Social Event: Thursday 20 November at 6.00 pm
If you have booked the SERA Conference Dinner as part of the wider conference experience, we look forward to seeing you on Thursday 20 November at 6.00pm. The dinner will be held in Gate 63 Restaurant, North East Scotland College (NESCol), Aberdeen City Campus, Gallowgate, Aberdeen, AB 25 1BN. The evening will be hosted by NESCol students studying Hospitality, and we are delighted to be working in partnership with them to provide delegates with an enjoyable SERA dining experience.
For those who were not able to book for the conference dinner – or who would to gather afterwards – there will be a Social Event at The Old Schoolhouse Pub, Little Belmont Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1JG. A space will be reserved for SERA conference attendees to meet together. There is no cost to attend this social event, and a selection of drinks (and food, until 9pm) can be purchased at the bar. The Social Event is booked from 7.30pm, but the venue will likely be able to welcome guests arriving earlier, especially those wishing to eat there. Enjoy!
SERA Conference Fund
SERA supports those who are unable to find funding by providing a small number of free or reduced-price places at the annual conference. SERA does not provide any grants or financial support to support travel costs or expenses.
You can be considered if:
- You are self-funding and not attached to an institution or organisation and have no sponsor.
- You are a new researcher or new member of staff who has limited access to institutional support to attend and present at conferences and your institution has refused to support you.
- You are part of a team who would like to present as a group and the total conference fee is not cost effective.
- You have circumstances that make it difficult or impossible to attend the conference at full cost.
Find out more about the SERA Conference Fund here.