Academics from St Mary’s University College attended the 20th annual Standing Conference on Teacher Education North and South (SCoTENS), held in Dundalk on 20-21 October 2022, which had the theme of Reflecting, Reconnecting and Re-engaging with the core purpose(s) of education.

SCoTENS has thirty-seven member organisations involved in various aspects of teacher education. Dr Gabrielle Nig Uidhir, Co-Chairperson of SCoTENS, invited Minister for Education, Norma Foley, to make the opening address, and also welcomed Ms Alison Chambers, Department of Education, Northern Ireland. The audience of delegates from teacher education institutions and affiliated organisations across Ireland were also inspired by the keynote speakers, Prof Kathleen Lynch and Dr Rachel Shanks.

The opening day of the conference came to a close with the launch of two research reports, commissioned by the Shared Ireland Unit in the Office of the Taoiseach in partnership with SCoTENS. Julie Hamilton from St Mary’s joined co-researchers, Dr Melanie Ní Dhuinn and Dr Julie Uí Choistealbha as Dr Uí Choistealbha summarized key findings from their investigation of how teacher educators can support student teachers to engage with social justice issues while on school placement. They also heard key messages, delivered by Dr Glenda Walsh, Dr Seaneen Sloan and Cliodhna Martin on behalf of the team that studied the role of the home-school liaison officer in educational disadvantage settings.

For many of the delegates, this was their first face-to face conference in over two years. St Mary’s staff were delighted to contribute to the two-day programme. Dr Claire Connolly joined partners in teacher education to plan developments to SCoTENS’ Student Exchange programme, Geraldine Parks discussed her research into Maths Anxiety at the doctoral roundtable workshop. Dr Donna Hazzard and Dr Geraldine Magennis were joined by fellow researcher, Dr Eithne Kennedy, as they presented an evaluation of a critical literacy project in primary schools. Dr Martin Hagan joined colleagues from partner institutions to discuss examples of successful collaborations between Higher Education providers during the Covid period.

During the two-day programme, there were many opportunities for the delegates themselves to reconnect with one another and to consolidate those relationships and professional friendships that are fostered at the SCoTENS conference and through the various projects that they facilitate and support. Karen McGivern and Barry Doherty, Senior Lecturers at St Mary’s, attending the conference for the first time, commented on the positive, dynamic atmosphere at the event and welcomed the opportunity to contribute the professional dialogue at the various workshops. Following a final panel discussion of the theme, southern Co-chair, Dr Maria Campbell from St Angela’s College, Sligo, formally brought the event to a close and thanked the participants, organisers, funders and members of the SCoTENS Committee.