IOE Public Engagement Masterclass Series: Professor Louise Archer

Across the sessions, award-winning IOE researchers with extensive experience in public engagement will share practical insights, approaches, and lessons learned from their work. Each masterclass will include opportunities for discussion and questions, as well as space for participants to reflect on their own experiences. Attendees will also be invited to provide feedback on IOE ’s public engagement support, helping to inform future provision and embed public engagement more effectively across our research culture.

Masterclass 1 - 3rd February 2026 - Professor Louise Archer

The first masterclass is led by Professor Louise Archer, Karl Mannheim Professor of Sociology of Education at IOE and Co-Chair of the Centre for Sociology of Education and Equity. The session will be chaired by Professor Caroline Oliver, also a Co-Chair of the Centre for Sociology of Education and Equity and Lead of Engagement and Impact for the Department of Education, Practice and Society at IOE.

Professor Archer leads the globally influential ASPIRES longitudinal research programme, now in its third phase (ASPIRES 3). This mixed-methods study examines how young people’s science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) aspirations develop between the ages of 10 and 22, and how these shape educational pathways and career trajectories.

A core aim of ASPIRES is to ensure that research findings are accessible, actionable, and meaningful for a wide range of audiences, including schools, policymakers, STEM engagement professionals, and young people themselves. ASPIRES continues to inform policy and practice nationally and internationally through sustained public engagement with professional bodies, curriculum developers, and wider publics.

In recognition of this work, Professor Archer and her team received the BERA Public Engagement and Impact Prize (2019), ESRC Celebrating Impact prize (2020) and Royal Society Athena Prize (2022).

The talk will be followed by a Q&A and a short listening exercise to gather participants’ perspectives on public engagement at IOE and UCL. Further support and training opportunities will be shared with all attendees.

This event is open to all staff and students at UCL, and is particularly suited to IOE researchers, including research students, interested in developing their public engagement practice to ensure our research demonstrates tangible benefits beyond academia.

The masterclasses are organised by IOE Research Development to mark IOE Public Engagement Month. These masterclasses highlight the importance of considering public engagement as a core part of research by creating opportunities for dialogue with communities, industry, and policymakers. This enhances the applicability, social relevance, and visibility of our work. You are welcome to join this and all other sessions.

#IOEPublicEngagement #WeAreIOE

Access Profile:

These are in-person events. We aim to make our events as inclusive as possible so if you have any accessibility requirements or enquiries please contact us via [email protected] so appropriate measures are taken.

Please also be aware that the session may be recorded by UCL. By registering to attend and joining the online session, you are consenting to be a part of our recorded sessions. We also recommend that you review our before signing up for this event.

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