Keynote speakers

June 2025

Keynote speakers

Professor Sara Baker

Sara Baker is Professor of Developmental Psychology and Education, Faculty of Education at the University of Cambridge.

Specialist in the science of learning, her academic research aims to improve children’s lives by identifying factors at home and school that can support agency over their own learning, in particular by developing their executive functions and self-regulation. Through her research, she works with educators to translate research from cognitive science into educational contexts.

Sara was a 2022 Senior Fellow in the Science of Learning with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization - International Bureau of Education (UNESCO-IBE), International Brain Research Organisation (IBRO). She consults on the science of learning and education for external organisations. Her projects have been funded by the Newton Trust, a Cambridge Humanities Research Grant, the Economic and Social Research Council, the LEGO Foundation, the Nuffield Foundation and the Office for Students, Research England.

Keynote
- Executive functions: Foundational skills for learning and for life
  10 am, Tuesday 17 June
  
  The pace of change in the world is accelerating. What skills will learners need to meet this pace, both in and outside the classroom? The science of learning suggests that executive functions, the basis for decision-making and adapting to changing circumstances, form the foundation needed to thrive in both academic and non-academic areas across the lifespan.
  
  This keynote will explore executive functions’ impact from early childhood through to adulthood. Supporting learners’ executive functions can have widespread benefits, from the ability to pay attention in class, participate in teamwork, engage in problem-solving, plan for the long term and adapt to change. Sara’s presentation will include some simple strategies that educators can use to strengthen executive functions and help prepare their students for the pace of change.

Joanne McEachen

Joanne McEachen is an Indigenous Māori education leader, entrepreneur and global changemaker. She has spent decades working across multiple countries and cultures, walking in multiple worlds – from classrooms to boardrooms, from local communities to global networks. Her work with schools, governments and organisations has shaped education systems in New Zealand, Australia, the US, Canada and beyond. Through Contributive Learning, she helps educators shift from traditional academic measures to real-world, human-centred learning that transforms lives.

A bestselling author with over 35 years of experience as a teacher, principal, national Ministry of Education leader in New Zealand, Joanne is a globally recognised pioneer in the fields of educational design and assessment. She embeds a social, emotional, and cultural commitment to all students and educators, reflecting their cultures and aspirations in what, how, and where they learn.

Keynote
- Future-ready learning that truly prepares every student
  2 pm, Tuesday 17 June
  
  What does it really mean to be future-ready? It’s not about memorizing more, testing more, or forcing students into outdated models of success. It’s about unlocking the potential that already exists within every learner—their ability to contribute, connect and thrive in an ever-changing world.
  
  This keynote aims to challenge everything you thought you knew about preparing students for the future. We will:
  
  redefine future-readiness – move beyond grades and test scores to what actually matters for students to thrive
  
  learn from global perspectives – discover how different cultures and communities are reshaping education for deep learning and real-world impact
  
  leave with real strategies – walk away with practical, actionable ideas you can implement immediately to make learning more engaging, meaningful and transformative.
  
  This isn’t just a keynote – it’s a call to action. A chance to reshape education into something that truly serves every learner, every culture and every future.
  
  The future isn’t something we wait for. It’s something we create. Who’s in?

Dr Rob Loe

Dr Rob Loe is a Deputy Principal at the Scots College, Sydney, one of Australia’s oldest and most respected Presbyterian boys’ schools. Responsible for the academic portfolio, he was previously Director of Research and Learning Innovation. With 25 years in education, he has worked as a teacher, senior school leader, and researcher/consultant. He studied English Literature and Education at the University of Cambridge, focusing on topics like schooling, exclusion, social issues and school effectiveness.

Rob stepped out of the classroom in 2013 to become the Research Director, and then CEO, of a UK research foundation and think-tank, Relationships Foundation. During this time, he completed his doctorate on the measurement of human relationships and some of the most significant research in peer group relational research in partnership with Christian Schools Australia (CSA) schools. As a result, he moved permanently to Australia, emigrating with his family in mid-2020 to work for CSA as Executive Officer, leadership coach and specialist in organisational culture and community development before moving to Sydney in 2023.

Rob continues to research, write and speak on the importance of fostering positive relationships between key stakeholders in schools, and the influence of social network thinking in the domains of teacher training, development and organisational improvement.

Keynote
- Seeing the world through a relational lens
  9 am, Wednesday 18 June
  
  In an age of hyper-individualism and technological disruption, our ability to see the world from a different vantage point has never been more critical. Drawing on insights from psychology, social-neuroscience, game theory, sociology, anthropology and many other disciplines, sectors, and professions brings insight into relationships. The issue is how one brings all that together in a way that enables people to talk constructively, diagnose accurately and generate effective responses.
  
  This keynote explores the fundamental role that relationships play in shaping identity, learning and leadership. Through stories, scholarship and practical application, we will examine how Relational Thinking transforms the way we educate, lead and build communities – moving beyond transactional interactions to meaningful, purpose-driven connections. Whether in schools, families or workplaces, this session will challenge us to rethink what it truly means to belong, to lead and to flourish together.

Fernando Valenzuela Migoya

Fernando Valenzuela Migoya is a renowned leader in educational innovation and digital transformation across Latin America. With over 30 years of experience in global executive leadership roles, he has driven impactful change in education, technology and business.

A graduate in Computer Science from Universidad Iberoamericana and an MBA in International Business from the University of Miami, Fernando has been recognised as one of the Top 100 Global EdTech Influencers by EdTech Digest and was awarded EdTech Leader of the Year 2022.

As a thought leader, he focuses on the intersection of AI, education and human intelligence, advocating for technology that enhances rather than replaces human potential. His expertise spans digital transformation, AI in education, learning ecosystems and the future of work, making him a sought-after speaker at global conferences.

Fernando is a passionate advocate for redefining education, ensuring that technology empowers learners and educators to thrive in an increasingly digital world. He believes the future of learning must be human-centred, inclusive and augmented by AI, preparing students for the complexities of the 21st century.

Keynote
- Augmented intelligence: The technological revolution meets human evolution
  11:30 am, Wednesday 18 June
  
  As we navigate an era of rapid technological advancement, education must evolve to prepare learners not just to adapt but to thrive in an AI-driven world. The challenge is not merely integrating technology into classrooms but rethinking education itself – leveraging AI to enhance human intelligence rather than replace it.
  
  In this keynote, we will explore how AI and digital transformation can augment human learning, creativity and problem-solving, rather than confining learners to passive digital consumption. By applying insights from the latest learning science, executive functioning and self-regulation research, we will discuss strategies to equip students with critical thinking, adaptability and lifelong learning mindsets.
  
  This session will challenge educators to move beyond traditional paradigms and embrace AI as a tool for human empowerment. From reimagining curriculum design to fostering responsive learning in digital spaces, we will provide actionable insights on creating future-ready learners. The future of education is not about choosing between technology or humanity – it’s about designing a world where both coexist in harmony.

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