Faculty of Education, York University, Toronto, Canada
Faculty of Education, York University, Toronto, Canada
Presentation Topic: “I have no hands to caress my face”: navigating troubled times with–and for–our children.
Dr. Karen Armstrong was awarded her doctorate in literacy education (1991) from the University of British Columbia in Canada. She is currently teaching in the Faculty of Education at York University in Toronto, Canada, where she has taught graduate and undergraduate course in the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Education. In addition to her academic work, Dr. Armstrong has served as Advisory Future Planning Chairman for the Junior League of Vancouver Canada and as Vice-President of Community and Outreach for the Junior League of Toronto.
Karen has participated on numerous professional committees and regularly presents academic papers at both international and local conferences across North America, Asia, and Europe since1991. Her current interests are: Early and Family Literacy, Leadership and Community Engagement; AI and education; and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Michelle Powers is a Liberal Studies for Education Major at Pepperdine University pursuing a teaching credential in primary education. After graduation, she plans to attend law school and focus her efforts on educational policy. Michelle has served as an administrator for a youth sports and science camp and also enjoys traveling and exploring new culinary recipes. As an undergraduate, she participated in Pepperdine’s signature international programs located in Washington, D.C. and Hauteville, Switzerland, two experiences which inspired her to become active in policymaking and educational research about studying abroad.
Joy Kim is a Liberal Studies for Education Major at Pepperdine University pursuing teaching credentials in both primary and secondary education. After graduation, she plans to attend law school and pursue a career in environmental or social justice law. She appreciates the outdoors, is passionate about reading, and enjoys traveling. As an undergraduate, she studied abroad in Florence, Italy, a transformational experience which sparked her interest in researching study abroad programs.
Dr Jashwini Narayan has a Bachelors Degree (gold medalist) in Business Studies, Postgraduate Diploma, Master of Arts Degree and PhD, with ten years industry experience. She is an academic at University of the South Pacific. She has published various articles, books/chapters and presented papers in conferences. In 2024, she was awarded the best presenter certificate at the 16th Global Conference on Business and Social Science. In 2025, she was conferred with the Management Teachers Consortium (MTC) Global Distinguished Teacher Award.
Dr. Stella Erbes is a Professor of Teacher Education and Divisional Dean of Humanities and Teacher Education at Pepperdine University. She earned her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and M.A. degrees in
Education and Spanish from UC Santa Barbara, and her
B.A. in Spanish and K-12 teaching credentials from Pepperdine. She has served as Faculty-in-Residence in Pepperdine’s international programs in Shanghai, China, and Buenos Aires, Argentina. Author of What Teachers Should Know But Textbooks Don’t Show (2008) and Life Lessons (2017), her research explores educational
technology, teaching methodologies, study abroad programs, and undergraduate research experiences.
Anna Öqvist is associate professor in education at Luleå University of Technology. Her research revolves early childhood education to upper secondary school education with focus on teachers’ and principals’ leadership.
TDCR, MSc, PhD, SF(HEA)
Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool
Presentation Topic: Problem-based Learning an Interactive, Flipped-Classroom Pedagogic Approach
Dr Mackay qualified as a Diagnostic Radiographer in Liverpool and worked as a radiographer for 10 years in London. He then moved into radiography education and has been teaching and researching in Radiography and associated fields for over 30 years. In 2007, he was appointed as Professor of Medical Imaging Education at the University of Salford.
In 2013 he moved to the University of Liverpool and was appointed as Head of Programme for Diagnostic Radiography. A role he undertook for 10 years. For the last three years he has been deputy lead for Academic Quality in the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. Dr Mackay was a member of the Education and Training Committee of the Health and Care Professions Council from 2009 – 2013. He has been a reviewer for Diagnostic Radiography programmes for the Society and College of Radiographers for over 15 years and is a member of the National Award and Approvals Board of the College of Radiographers. He is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Professor and Head of the Education Sector at the University of Moncton, Campus Edmundston, Canada
Vice-president of the National Federation of French-speaking School Boards, Canada
Presentation Topic: Interest in The Field of Education: Should We Be Worried?
DRobert Levesque (D.S.S., B.SC., B.ÉD., M.Éd., Ph.D.) began his career as a high school teacher, teaching physics and mathematics. He was also a distance teacher for the Department of Education for 8 years. He was the recipient of the national award “Microsoft Innovative Teacher” in 2007 where he represented Canada in Finland and Vietnam. Recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award from his University in 2015-2016 and also recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in January 2023. Professor and Head of the Education Sector at the University of Moncton, campus Edmundston, he was elected member of the Education Council of his school district as well as past president of the Federation of Education Councils of New-Brunswick Canada. Finally, Mr. Levesque is vice-president of the National Federation of French-speaking School Boards.
Zimao Yang is a 2023 fall PhD student at King’s College London, his subject is Education Research, he mainly focus on the area of the economics of education and mathematics education.
Mr. Denis Nuriu was born in Tirana on July 13, 1979. 1998-2002 he studied at the Academy of Physical Education and Sports “Vojo Kushi”, (today Sports University of Tirana), graduated as a Teacher of Physical Education, specialty Combat Sports (wrestling). Mr. Denis Nuriu held the title “National Champion” in the sport of Greco-Roman wrestling for 8 years in a row with the teams of “Studenti SC” and “Dinamo SC”, joining the ranks of the National Team, where he has won many international matches. After completing his studies he has been the coach of Greco-Roman wrestling for several years with the teams of “Dinamo SC” and “Tirana SC” for youth teams, where as a coach he won many Champion titles. From 2018 onwards, Mr. Nuriu has developed his university activity as an academic staff with research direction at the Scientific Research Institute of Sports, at the University of Sports of Tirana in the Department of Physical Activity and Health. He is also engaged in the teaching process in the subjects: Testing in Physical Activity, Fitness and Recreation and Combat Sports.