SfL online conference - Looking Beyond: the benefits of learning from other settings and cultures

Binghan Liu

Binghan is a first-year PhD student in the Department of Education at Brunel University of London. Her research focuses on the impact of gamification and AI on language education, particularly in enhancing learner motivation and reducing speaking anxiety. She holds a Master’s degree in TESOL from the University of Edinburgh and has over 8 years of teaching experience across China and the UK. Currently, she works as a teaching assistant supporting SEND students in a London secondary school, where she bridges research and practice to foster inclusive, engaging, and student-centered learning environments.

Fiona Forbes

Fiona Forbes is a practicing school leader and the CEO and founder of ConfigurED – an education consultancy with a specific focus on school leadership.  

Fiona has over 37 years of experience and expertise in the leadership of schools from the early childhood, primary, secondary, tertiary, and special education sectors.  Fiona was awarded an Honorary Doctorate at the Australian Catholic University (ACU) for services to special education in 2016. She is a life member, past President and Chair of the Board for the Australian Special Education Principals Association (ASEPA), and is a current Board Member of the Foundation for Education Development UK (FED). Fiona has been a foundation member of Atlantic Rim Collaboratory (ARC) since its inception in 2015, was an Ambassador for ARC from 2021 – 2024.  

Fiona has a commitment to global education strengthened by her 6 years on the executive of the International Confederation of Principals (ICP), where she was elected President for 2 years - 2017/18.  She was awarded life membership in 2019 for her services to global school leadership and education.
 

Gokhan Bas

Dr Gokhan Bas works as professor at the Department of Educational Studies, School of Education, Nigde Omer Halisdemir University in Turkey. He is specialised at curriculum and instruction, with a particular focus on learning and individual differences, educational psychology, and classroom assessment. 

Hatice Ulu Aydin

Hatice is a research assistant and doctoral student in the Department of Special Education at Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University at Türkiye. She graduated from the Department of Special Education at Sakarya University in 2015 and worked as a teacher in special education schools affiliated with the Ministry of National Education for seven years. 

She also completed her master's degree in 2023. Her research areas include autism spectrum disorder, developmental disabilities, strength-based interventions, special interests, social skills, challenging behaviours, inclusive education, and motivation. 

Helen Benstead

Dr Helen Benstead is Associate Professor of Inclusive Education and Academic Director of the Graduate School at the University of Sunderland, where she oversees postgraduate research degrees and supports students to succeed in their fields.

She began her career with a BA (QTS) in Primary Education, before completing an MPhil at Cambridge and a PhD at York. 

Helen has held senior policy roles in central and local government and founded Inclusive Classrooms, a social enterprise supporting Teaching Assistants. She has authored professional development materials, published widely on inclusive education, and continues to research socially inclusive practices in education.
 

Kate Duggan

Kate became Chief Operating Officer at Seashell in November 2024, having joined in 2017 as Lead Speech and Language Therapist. Passionate about improving outcomes for individuals with learning disabilities, she has held leadership roles across third sector providers, completed a Masters in Health Leadership, and established Seashell’s Health Service as its first Registered Manager.

Kate has led strategic development as Director of Strategy, Health and Wellbeing, and now oversees all operational areas including Education, Health, Care, and Family Services. She has presented research internationally on telepractice, functional communication, and evidencing therapeutic impact for individuals with complex needs.

Kyleigh Marie Kai-Li Melville

Kyleigh Melville (she/her) is an ESRC-funded PhD Candidate at The University of Edinburgh. Her research explores school staff and neurodivergent students’ experiences with multi-sensory environments using community-informed and participatory approaches. Kyleigh is also a Special Education Needs (SEND) educator with 8 years' experience in public and private education as well as the third sector, specialising in working with neurodivergent students with co-occurring language, cognitive, behavioural and physical support needs. Her teaching experience and lived experience as a relative and friend to neurodivergent individuals motivates her passion in conducting research with and for neurodivergent communities.

Dr. María Nieves Marin Regalado 

Psychopedagogue and PhD in Educational Sciences, in department of Didactics and School Organization. She has extensive experience as a teacher and lecturer in Spain and is currently a researcher at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) in Madrid, focusing on diversity and gender studies. She is also an Erasmus projects evaluator and a research visitor at Brunel University, United Kingdom.

Nadia Cooke

Nadia Cooke is a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Coordinator for the Middle East and Africa and a teacher trainer. She has worked widely with learners with SEND, helping teachers and students alike to foster inclusive practices and build learning environments that are accessible, supportive, and empowering.

Naomi Ashman

Naomi has taught in primary schools for 18 years. In her role as Director of Learning Success, she oversees SEND and EAL provision. Naomi works closely with staff, pupils, and families to nurture a culture of belonging, support, and high expectations for all learners, striving to remove barriers to learning so that every child reaches their potential.

As a former foster carer and an adoptive parent, she is passionate about championing vulnerable children and facilitating opportunities for pupils to overcome disadvantage. Naomi is a lifelong learner and is currently studying part-time toward an EdD at University College London. Her current research focuses on the professional development needs of SENCOs.

Otto Ferreira

Otto Ferreira holds a PhD in Applied Linguistics from the State University of Londrina, Brazil (2024), with a scholarship from CAPES. He is currently a postdoctoral researcher at inED – Centre for Research and Innovation in Education, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, Portugal, under the supervision of Professor Mário Cruz.

His work focuses on transdisciplinary approaches to inclusive English language education for children. With experience in teaching music and English to young learners, including those with special educational needs, he develops didactic sequences and creative strategies to foster inclusion, dialogue, and meaningful learning through language and music.

Ozlem Isik

Ozlem Isik is a PhD researcher at Brunel University London, Department of Education. Her doctoral research, “Counselling and Mental Health Services: Experiences of Adult Turkish-born Kurdish Immigrants in Inner-city Educational Settings in London” examines the intersection of migration, education, and well-being.

She holds two master’s degrees: one in Foreign Language Teaching from Ankara University, Turkiye, and another in Social and Emotional Impacts of English Proficiency on Immigrants from the University of Roehampton, London. She has authored three books and published academic articles as an experienced ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) teacher.  Beyond academia, Ozlem demonstrates her community commitment by volunteering at animal shelters.

Rabia Shunaid Khan

Rabia Shunaid Khan is a proud mum, SENCO, author, TEDx organizer, doctoral researcher, and advocate for purposeful, meaningful inclusion in education. Starting her career as a teaching assistant, she progressed into leadership, gaining deep insight into the needs of students with SEND. She has won-nominated several education awards, been part of podcasts and has led initiatives like launching the first Sensory Sports Day in the Middle East, develops inclusive frameworks, individualized curriculums, has recently launched an online platform to empower educators through skill-based learning, called IncludED Learning. She will also be presenting this year at GESS Dubai on ‘Inclusive Leadership’.

Rachel Johnson

Rachel Johnson is the Consultant Occupational Therapist at Seashell Trust, with over 30 years of experience, she holds a MSc and BSc(hons) in Occupational Therapy. She specialises in Ayres Sensory Integration therapy for children and young adults with complex learning disabilities. Rachel has presented and published widely on topics including Ayres Sensory Integration therapy, outcome measures, dementia care, ethics, and innovation in OT. She has received the RCOT specialist section for older people Research Award alongside awards for innovation and excellence, recognising her contributions to occupational therapy practice, education, and service development.

Reece Sohdi

Reece Sohdi is a Lecturer in the School of Education at the University of Sunderland. Reece started his career with a BA (Hons) in Performing Arts, before completing a PGCE in Further Education and an MA at Durham.

He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and as an early career researcher, focuses on both decolonising the curriculum within higher education, with a broader view towards of inclusive education and pedagogies in the wider education sector. 

Reece is eager to contribute to transformative discussions and practices that promote equity and globalised inclusion across all educational sectors and spaces.
 

Seyda Sari Yildrim

Seyda is currently serving as an Assist Prof. Dr. at Necmettin Erbakan University. She holds dual doctoral degrees, having completed her Ph.D. in Tourism Management /Gazi and Selcuk Universities and Ph.D. in English Language Teaching/ Hacettepe University. Her academic study and research interests primarily focus on Specific Language Learning Difficulty, Speech Disorders, CEFR, SLA and Accessible Tourism.

She had the chance to study with Prof. Dr. Philip Garner on accessible tourism during my stay at Brunel University, London. She contributes to her fields with numerous national and international studies, chapters, and presentations, as well as by lecturing at both undergraduate and graduate levels nationally and internationally.

Dr Zibiah Alfred Loakthar

Dr Zibiah Alfred Loakthar has many years of practical experience working within social justice and equality sectors with mainstream charities and with diverse minoritised and refugee communities, leading advocacy, arts, community development, disability, education, health, heritage, human rights, memory, oral history and volunteering projects in London. She is a trustee of North London Deaf Children's Society and of the British Schools Museum and chairs front line charity Community Language Support Services.

As a qualified teacher, Zibiah has taught in schools in the UK and in Ghana.  Currently, Zibiah is a Senior Lecturer in Refugee Care at the University of Essex where she co-directs the Centre for Trauma, Asylum and Refugees (CTAR) and sits on the University of Sanctuary committee. She is Director of Inclusivity Lead and a Co-Director of Graduate Studies for the Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies.