Keynote Speakers
ISES 2026
Professor Dr Peter Charles Taylor is Director of the International Transformative Education and Research Network (ITERN) and Adjunct Professor at Murdoch University’s School of Education. During 3 decades at Curtin University’s Graduate Centre of Science and Mathematics Education (SMEC), Peter developed a model of research as transformative learning designed to engage teachers and teacher educators in exploring their cultural histories, reconceptualizing their professional practices, and developing their agency as inspiring leaders of education as/for sustainable development. Engaging stories of these transformative learning experiences are recounted in a recent book co-edited with Professor Bal Chandra Luitel: Research as Transformative Learning for Sustainable Futures: Glocal Voices and Visions (Brill, 2019). Peter continues to actively support the visionary leadership of his graduates as they transform teacher education programs in universities across Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Pacific. He shares with Dr Elisabeth (Lily) Taylor a vision of education for cultural and environmental sustainability aimed at developing young people’s ethical and spiritual values, which is the focus of their latest co-edited book: Transformative STEAM Education for Sustainable Development: International Perspectives and Practices (Brill, 2022).
Professor Dr Nicola Yelland is Professor of Early Childhood Studies and Director of the Global Childhoods Research Hub at the University of Melbourne, Australia. Her research focuses on transformative pedagogies and the role of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, in supporting multimodal learning and meaning making. She has developed the concept of STEM learning ecologies to examine how children engage in inquiry-based learning that connects science education with sustainability. Nicola’s work spans international contexts, particularly in East Asia, and bridges research and practice to support innovative and critically informed approaches to teaching and learning
Professor Dr Amelia Buan is a mathematics education professor and a research and evaluation expert at Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, Philippines. In 2015, she was chosen as one of the 40 Intel Education Visionaries for her insight, passion, and proven experience as an agent of change in education. She is involved in nationwide STEM initiative in the Philippines being one of the trainers of the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute’s Project STAR (Science Teacher Academy for the Regions) training teachers on the effective use of various mathematics teaching approaches e.g. Teaching Mathematics through Problem Solving and Lesson Study as a tool for teacher professional development.
Chokchai Yuenyong is associate professor in science education program, Faculty of Education, Khon Kaen University, Thailand. He graduated Ph.D. in science education from Kasetsart University, Thailand, cooperation with the University of Waikato, New Zealand with supporting by scholarship of the Institute for the Promotion of Science and Technology (IPST). Currently, He is working in the science education program of Khon Kaen University, Thailand. He was the former President of Science Education Association of Thailand (SEAT). He also works as President of ASEAN Research Network on STEM Education Association. He was ranked as the world top 2% scientists 2022 by Stanford University. His interesting research includes Student learning in physics, Science teaching based on constructivism, Scientific literacy, Science teacher education, STEM Education, Cultural issues in science education. His current project is PLC STEM academy for enhancing STEM teacher competencies. He published around 130 indexed SCOPUS papers and 47 indexed Web of science papers.
