The Education, Peace, and Equity Conference got off to a great start last month as attendees marked the beginning of a three-day event dedicated to fostering collaboration among education researchers working in conflict-affected countries.
Organised by the Education, Peace, and Politics (EPP) network, the conference provided an opportunity for experts in the field to share findings from its members over the past three years. The event featured a substantial number of research insights, facilitating the cross-pollination of analyses and conclusions to inform policy decisions and support school leaders in conflict-affected regions.
Originally planned for November 2024, the conference had been postponed due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
Proceedings began with a welcome reception at the Rotana Hotel in Erbil. Guests included Deputy British Consul Charlotte Dixon; Dr. Amanj Abdullah Saeed, an adviser to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq’s Ministry of Higher Education; Koya University President, Assistant Professor Dr. Mohammed Zangana; Erwin Yin of The British Academy; and a cadre of international academics, among others.
Opening speeches by EPP project co-founders, Dr. Sherko Kirmanj and Professor Kelsey Shanks, emphasised the opportunities at hand while reflecting on the years of work already undertaken by the EPP group.
Special thanks were given to Bnar Ahmed, Project Manager at Koya University, who had gone above and beyond in her duties to organise the conference amid her work with EPP. Her contribution was described as “essential” to the conference’s organisation.
Dr. Mohammed Zangana, the President of Koya University, echoed his thanks to all those involved in the EPP project. Dr. Amanj Saeed, Senior Adviser at the Ministry of Higher Education, also represented the Minister of Higher Education and expressed his eagerness to hear research findings.
Next, Dr. Waheed Mahmoud Al-Ibrahimi, the President of Mosul University, representing the Iraqi Federal Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, took to the stage. He extended special gratitude to Professor Kelsey Shanks for her collaborative efforts in establishing a partnership with the institution as part of the UNESCO Chair collaboration. Humam Ghanim, representing UNESCO Iraq, then addressed the conference on the role of education in peacebuilding.
Koya University media students Venus Fakhir Abdullah, Shady Kaify Ahmed, Hazhar Nuraddin Hazhar, and Marwan Nawshirwan Rahman were on hand throughout the event to ensure presentations flowed smoothly.
The following morning, a core group of international researchers enjoyed a traditional Kurdish breakfast at the renowned Machko Café, followed by a historic walking tour of Erbil’s ancient Citadel. Here, the group was shown how conflict had shaped this famous landmark over millennia. The tour served as an excellent reminder of the importance of historical context in education research and the use of Political Economy Analysis in their work—a cornerstone of EPP’s mission.
In the afternoon, attendees participated in a series of seminars focused on networking, research methodologies, funding opportunities, academic publication, and thematic areas of interest. A wide-ranging and energetic discussion ensued—a theme that would continue throughout the conference.
Sophie Lane, an EPP researcher in attendance, said:
“It’s been brilliant to see so many people interested in conflict-affected education all in one place.
“Many researchers are critically evaluating their positionality and working to include people who have experienced conflict firsthand—whose work may not be recognised by Global North scholarship because there are so many epistemic and practical barriers.
“This conference is a great opportunity to bridge those barriers, connect local and international researchers, and develop research capacity on a local level.”
