Education Research Month 2026

Event Overview

Education Research Month 2026 is being organised by the Institute for Education to make educational research visible, accessible, and relevant to professional practice. Throughout February 2026, the Institute is showcasing research conducted by academic staff, alumni, and researchers working in the field of education, including research emerging from professional and applied contexts.

The initiative is bringing together researchers, educators, and institutional leaders to reflect on research findings and explore their implications for teaching, leadership, policy, and professional development. Education Research Month is serving as a space for dialogue, reflection, and professional learning, supporting continuous improvement within the education sector in Malta and beyond.

Programme

Education Research Month 2026 is taking place throughout February 2026 and is being delivered through four live-streamed episodes hosted on the Institute for Education’s official Facebook page. (include link)

The live-streamed format is enabling real-time discussion, reflection, and audience engagement, while the episodes are remaining available for ongoing access beyond the live broadcast.

All live episodes are being streamed during February from 18:00 to 19:30, ensuring accessibility for educators and professionals currently working in the field.

Episodes

12 February 2026 – Episode 1 - From Research to Strategy: Setting the Direction for IfE 2026–2030 Launching and reflecting on the IfE Strategic Plan 2026–2030

GUESTS:

Joanne Grima– CEO, Institute for Education

Dr Loredana Muscat – Senior Lecturer, Institute for Education

Moderator: Janice Darmanin

This episode is focusing on how research and evidence are informing institutional direction through the launch and discussion of the IfE Strategic Plan 2026–2030.

11 February 2026 – Episode 2 - Inside the Experience, Behind the System: From students’ emotional journeys after setbacks to school leaders’ reflections on what makes education truly meaningful.

Josephine Ebejer Grech – Alumni MAEL – Biology Teacher Higher Secondary

Angele Pulis – Lecturer IfE 

Moderator: Janice Darmanin

This opening episode explores lived experiences and leadership perspectives in education, examining students’ emotional responses and coping strategies following academic setbacks alongside school leaders’ reflections on what defines quality and meaning in education.

25 February 2026 – Episode 3 - Brains & Bytes: A discussion on the role of thinking-based pedagogy and artificial intelligence in shaping the future of education

GUESTS:

Shirley Ann Gauci - Senior Lecturer MCAST

Mario Mallia – Senior Lecturer IfE

Moderator: Oswald Tanti Rigos

This episode examines how thinking-based pedagogy and artificial intelligence are shaping educational practice, drawing on research into higher-order thinking in early childhood and critical perspectives on the role of AI in education.

26 February 2026 – Reading Beyond the Barriers: Exploring how teachers, support educators, and well-designed resources can help make language learning accessible to all

GUESTS:

Analise Muscat Pulis – Learning Support Educator

Marie Claire Cremona – Learning Support Educator

Dr Amanda Schembri Muscat – Lecturer, Institute for Education

Moderator: Mario Mallia

This episode explores how inclusive teaching practices, professional collaboration, and thoughtfully designed resources can support accessible language learning, with a focus on dyslexia awareness and inclusive approaches within secondary education.