International Study Association on Teachers and Teaching(ISATT) Regional Conference 2026
The International Study Association on Teachers and Teaching (ISATT) was established in 1983 following a symposium at Tilburg University in the Netherlands, where scholars sought to reposition teachers from being subjects of observation to being understood as reflective professionals whose thinking and decision-making shape classroom practice. This “teacher thinking” perspective formed the foundation of the association’s work and guided its early development. In 1986, ISATT was formally established as an independent international association and subsequently adopted a biennial conference model that continues to date. Over time, these conferences have been hosted across different regions of the world, progressively transforming ISATT from a predominantly European and North American network into a truly global platform for research, dialogue, and collaboration in teacher education. Today, the ISATT conference is recognized as a leading international forum that brings together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to share evidence and innovations in teaching and teacher education. Its thematic scope has expanded to include teacher education reform, curriculum and policy development, equity and inclusion, professional identity, and contemporary priorities such as digital learning, sustainability, and teacher wellbeing. n
Maseno University, on 29th June 2026, hosted the International Study Association on Teachers and Teaching (ISATT) pre-conference workshop at Kisumu Hotel, marking the commencement of a week-long academic engagement. The event brought together distinguished international and local scholars for rigorous discourse on diverse themes in education and research.
The workshop was officially inaugurated by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Partnerships, Research and Innovation (DVC-PRI), who lauded the ISATT organizing committee for selecting Maseno University as the host institution. He underscored the significance of this convening, noting that it represents only the second ISATT meeting since the association’s inception in 1983, thereby positioning Maseno University as a focal point for one of the most prominent education conferences in Africa and globally.
On behalf of the host academic committee, Dr. Mildred Ayere introduced the keynote presenters. The first presentation was delivered by Prof. Collins Ouma of Maseno University, who addressed the theme of grant proposal development and research dissemination. His presentation provided a structured framework for developing competitive funding proposals, identifying potential funding sources and navigating the evolving landscape of open-access scholarly publishing.
The second presentation, delivered by Prof. Fredrick Mzee Awuor of Kisii University, examined the responsible integration of Artificial Intelligence in research, teaching and learning. He highlighted critical considerations in responsible computing, the role of digital transformation within higher education institutions and the ethical application of generative AI tools in academic contexts.
The third session featured Prof. Cheryl J. Craig from Texas A&M University, who offered an in-depth comparative analysis of field-based and autobiographical narrative inquiry methodologies. Her presentation provided valuable insights into qualitative research approaches and their application in educational research.
Overall, the pre-conference workshop set a strong intellectual tone for the ISATT conference, offering a preview of the high-level scholarly engagement anticipated throughout the week.
The ISATT 2026 Regional Conference, is hosted by Maseno University in collaboration with ISATT and supported by the County Government of Kisumu, in Kisumu Kenya (29 June – 3 July 2026), represents both a continuation of this global tradition and a historic milestone for Africa within the ISATT community as the second ISATT Regional Conference to be hosted on the African continent.
The conference, themed “Towards Sustainable Teaching for the Future: Advancing Wellbeing, Innovation, and Inclusivity in Education,” reflects ISATT’s commitment to strengthening teaching and learning through research while responding to emerging global and regional educational priorities. The conference sub-themes include:
1. Wellbeing and resilience in education
2. Innovation, AI, and digital transformation in teaching and learning
3. Inclusivity, equity, and decolonization of education
4. Reimagining TVET education for Africa’s future workforce
5. Economic empowerment and entrepreneurial learning for sustainability
6. Community development through sustainable education
7. Responsive African education policies
8. Arts, wellbeing, and community resilience
9. Arts, innovation, and sustainable development
10. Arts, inclusion, and cultural identity in education
