IOE Insights

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Education
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Thoughts and ideas on education, culture, psychology, social science and more from our academics, students, alumni and wider community to create lasting and evolving change. Podcasts brought to you by UCL Institute of Education (IOE), the world's leading centre for education and social science research, courses and teaching, and a faculty of University College London (UCL). More from us: https://ucl.ac.uk/ioe

1d ago

Achieving and thriving? Experts respond to schools’ white paper | Inclusive Voices: Deafblindness

Dr Leda Kamenopoulou and contributors explore the 2026 Schools White Paper, Every Child Achieving and Thriving. They also explore the government consultation, SEND Reform: Putting Children and Young People First. They examine their implications for inclusion, specialist provision, and outcomes for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), particularly those with sensory impairments and complex needs. As the government seeks to reform SEND provision in England, questions remain about how policy ambitions translate into meaningful change for learners and families. In this episode, a panel of experts on sensory impairment, inclusive education, and teacher education reflects on the opportunities and challenges presented by the Government’s White Paper. The discussion considers key themes including early identification and intervention, workforce development, and the extent to which current proposals address the needs of children and young people with hearing, vision, and multisensory impairments. The episode also explores broader debates about inclusion and educational outcomes. Contributors examine: the relationship between mainstream and specialist provisionthe expertise required to support learners with sensory and complex needs, andhow success should be measured beyond academic attainment alone. Drawing on research, policy analysis, and professional experience, the conversation offers a balanced and thought-provoking perspective on what is needed to ensure that reforms lead not only to higher standards, but also to genuine belonging, participation, and equitable opportunities for all learners. Full show notes: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe/news/2026/sep/achieving-and-thriving-experts-respond-schools-white-paper-inclusive-voices-deafblindness Image: New Africa via Adobe Stock. More IOE Insights podcasts: https://uclioe.info/podcastUCL Institute of Education: https://ucl.ac.uk/ioe
Sep 21

How other countries could leave the EU | Research for the Real World

10 years after the Brexit referendum, was Britain’s departure from the European Union inevitable or did it depend on a series of political choices? Mark Quinn speaks with Dr Roch Dunin-Wąsowicz and Max Josef Migden about their research comparing Britain’s experience with the prospect of Poland leaving the EU. They introduce a framework exploring how national structures, political narratives and the actions of influential politicians can combine to make "Polexit" possible. Why would a largely pro-European population continue to elect Eurosceptic leaders? Could Poland leave without holding a referendum? We also hear how the EU has changed since Brexit and why populist politicians may now be more interested in reshaping it than leaving it. Full show notes and links: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe/news/2026/sep/how-other-countries-could-leave-eu-research-real-world More Research for the Real World: https://uclioe.info/rftrwMore IOE Insights podcasts: https://uclioe.info/podcastUCL Institute of Education: https://ucl.ac.uk/ioe Photo: FotoDax / Adobe Stock
Sep 14

What is deafblindness? Breaking down the myths | Inclusive Voices: Deafblindness

Dr Leda Kamenopoulou chairs this conversation about how we can use research and professional expertise to promote a more accurate understanding of this complex and often misunderstood disability. Deafblindness (or multisensory impairment, MSI) is frequently associated with assumptions that do not reflect the realities of those who experience it. In this episode, we unpack some of the most common myths, including the belief that all deafblind people are totally deaf and blind, that deafblindness is always present from birth, or that everyone with deafblindness has the same needs. Through discussion with specialists in inclusion, deafblind education and habilitation, the episode highlights the diversity of deafblind experiences and the many ways in which individuals use their remaining senses, communicate, learn, navigate and engage with the world around them. The conversation also explores why deafblindness should be understood as a distinct and highly individual condition rather than simply the combination of hearing and vision loss. Drawing attention to the role of communication, environment, and accessibility, the episode challenges listeners to move beyond stereotypes and recognise the importance of personalised support and inclusive practice. Ultimately, it encourages educators, families, and professionals to question assumptions, embrace complexity, and develop a deeper understanding of the varied experiences of people with deafblindness. Full show notes: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe/news/2026/sep/what-deafblindness-breaking-down-myths-inclusive-voices-deafblindness Image: New Africa via Adobe Stock. More IOE Insights podcasts: https://uclioe.info/podcastUCL Institute of Education: https://ucl.ac.uk/ioe
Sep 7

The women reshaping conservative politics in America | Research for the Real World

We explore how conservative Christian women have become influential organisers, campaigners and political actors in the United States. Jason Ilagan is joined by Dr Katie Gaddini, who has drawn on a decade of ethnographic research with her new book ‘Esther’s Army’ challenging assumptions that women in right-wing movements are politically passive, instead revealing the diverse ways they organise, mobilise and influence political life. We hear how ideas around motherhood, protection and empowerment have become powerful political tools, and considers what these developments can tell us about the future of political mobilisation both in the US and beyond. The episode examines what these trends mean for policymakers, educators and anyone seeking to understand an increasingly polarised political landscape. Full show notes and links: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe/news/2026/sep/women-reshaping-conservative-politics-america-research-real-world More Research for the Real World: https://uclioe.info/rftrwMore IOE Insights podcasts: https://uclioe.info/podcastUCL Institute of Education: https://ucl.ac.uk/ioe Photo: Gage Skidmore (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Aug 31

When the old maps no longer work | Research for the Real World

Political movements are crossing borders and challenging established ideas about power and participation. Researchers take us inside political movements in the US and Europe before turning to the classroom to ask how people can learn to navigate disagreement, uncertainty and change. Upcoming episodes: The role of Christian women in right-wing American politics - Dr Katie GaddiniA Polish Brexit and populism in Europe - Dr Roch Dunin-Wasowicz and Max MidgenHow schools and teachers can help young citizens navigate social and political division - Hans SvennevigMore Research for the Real World episodes: https://uclioe.info/rftrwMore IOE Insights podcasts: https://uclioe.info/podcastUCL Institute of Education: https://ucl.ac.uk/ioe
Aug 17

Before learning went mobile | Academia et al

In this episode of Academia et al, Zeinab El-Khateeb talks to Professor Norbert Pachler about shaping the beginnings of mobile learning in a time when most phones still had small screens and physical buttons. He reflects on bringing international researchers from different disciplines together to understand how mobile technologies were changing society, culture and education. Professor Pachler also shares advice for early career academics on finding collaborators, contributing to professional communities and developing ideas that can grow over time. Full show notes and links: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe/news/2026/aug/learning-went-mobile-academia-et-al More IOE Insights podcasts: https://uclioe.info/podcastUCL Institute of Education: https://ucl.ac.uk/ioe
Aug 3

The first grant | Academia et al

In this episode of Academia et al, Zeinab El Khateeb speaks with Professor Lynn Ang about her route from preschool teaching to research leadership at the IOE. Professor Ang reflects on the doctoral journey that transformed her career, and recalls how a senior colleague sharing the details of a successful research grant application helped her also secure one of her own. Full show notes and links: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe/news/2026/aug/first-grant-academia-et-al More IOE Insights podcasts: https://uclioe.info/podcastUCL Institute of Education: https://ucl.ac.uk/ioe
Jul 22

Painting our way through the PhD finish line and beyond | The PhD Sketchbook

What does a PhD journey look like when you paint it rather than write it? In their final episode of the series, Tooba and Louise talk about getting a PhD over the finish line, staying motivated in the face of challenges and discuss how they envision their future. You can see the artworks they created during this episode on the UCL IOE student blog, and on the IOE Instagram account.Full show notes and links: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe/news/2026/jul/painting-our-way-through-phd-finish-line-and-beyond-phd-sketchbook More IOE Insights podcasts: https://uclioe.info/podcastUCL Institute of Education: https://ucl.ac.uk/ioe Music featured: "Magic Escape Room" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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Thoughts and ideas on education, culture, psychology, social science and more from our academics, students, alumni and wider community to create lasting and evolving change. Podcasts brought to you by UCL Institute of Education (IOE), the world's leading centre for education and social science research, courses and teaching, and a faculty of University College London (UCL). More from us: https://ucl.ac.uk/ioe