Did you know that the SIoE hosts a number of external networks? Below is a taster of those networks and some short reports on the work they did during the previous academic year. Do get in touch with the network leads if you would like to get involved.
SHU Mathematics Association Lisa Ashmore
The SHU branch of the Mathematics Association was launched in 2018 with the aim to foster dialogue and collaboration among mathematics educators across age-phases, schools, and universities. A further goal is to deepen both personal and professional understanding in mathematics, informed by research and developments in schools locally and nationally. Last year we were delighted to welcome Charlie Stripp, the president of the Maths Association and director of the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM). He shared some positive news about mathematics, including an increase in A-level uptake and improvements in international comparisons. He also sparked thoughtful discussion about the continued prevalence of negative attitudes in mathematics, and whether these might be linked to the demands of the current curriculum. We also hosted Dr. Kinga Morsanyi from Loughborough University who shared her research on barriers to learning mathematics, such as maths anxiety or dyscalculia. Both presenters were eager to engage with diverse perspectives from our primary and secondary colleagues, as well as our PGCE and BA teacher trainees. The session was highly collaborative, with a strong emphasis on meaningful audience engagement.
The Sustainable Schools South Yorkshire Network Lee Jowett
The Sustainable Schools South Yorkshire network was established in September 2023 to support practitioners in Sheffield and the wider South Yorkshire area to facilitate quality sustainability and climate education from early years through to higher education. The network is a supportive network that aims to develop, facilitate, and bring together those interested in climate change and sustainability education. This year we have: sent out 10 email eBulletins which brought together other newsletters, funding opportunities, projects and jobs; hosted a conference at Sheffield Hallam attended by over 250 people from across the UK; hosted 3 EcoTeachMeets (one at the Botanical Gardens, one virtual and one at Lydgate Junior School); and attended various events including presenting at a South Yorkshire School Business Leaders’ network event. Highlights of the year include engaging teachers on two brand new knowledge exchange projects – Project in a Box – Think Climate! in partnership with the Children’s University and working in the Royal Society’s Tomorrow’s Climate Scientists programme – linking researchers with teachers. We also expanded the network to include the whole of South Yorkshire (not just Sheffield), bringing together over 30 organisations at the Climate Leaders’ Conference in April which included a keynote from the Department for Education.
The Effective Flexible Working in Schools Practitioner Network (EFWSPN) Dr Suzanne Brown
The Effective Flexible Working in Schools Practitioner Network (EFWSPN) is an online forum where practitioners are encouraged to learn and share good practice about inclusive flexible working patterns. This aim sits under the umbrella of supporting teacher retention by making teaching a profession people want to join- and remain doing, and for schools to be places where people want to work. Since its inception, the network has heard from school leaders, including CEOs of Flexible Working Ambassador Schools about how they have organised their schools, including timetabling, to support flexible working. Academics have shared their research about how flexible working in schools can support people at all stages of their lives including menopause. Lucy Rose from Flexible Teacher Talent delivered an informative session about flexible working and teacher wellbeing. The network has widened our external and professional engagement reach leading to external knowledge exchange opportunities and being a delivery partner of the DfE sponsored Capita/Entrust DfE Flexible Working Programme. The collective endeavours and impacts of the EFWSPN have raised the profile of the SIOE and University with regard to this aspect of teacher retention.
Early Years Practitioner Network Dr Fufy Demissie
In my role as trustee of the Froebel Trust (an international early years charity), I helped to co-organise the national conference (March 2025), which was held here at Sheffield Hallam. Members of the network attended. In 2025-26, a local Frobel network will be launched that will include early years practitioners who attend the network meetings I lead
Multilingualism External Engagement Network Dr Melike Al Baba Bulut
The Multilingualism External Engagement Network currently includes 31 members across Sheffield Hallam University. We stay connected through Microsoft Teams, where we regularly exchange ideas, share opportunities, and coordinate activities. Our meetings are arranged based on members’ interests and needs. These include reading sessions in which we select and critically discuss a journal article. Such sessions foster stimulating academic discussions and provide a supportive environment for doctoral students to build their networks and strengthen their sense of belonging within the academic community. In addition to internal activities, we organised an external event titled “Multilingualism as a Resource in Anglophone Higher Education Workshop.” The event has garnered significant national and international interest. Our team collaborated to review abstract submissions and planned the programme. The workshop took place on 30 June and featured an exciting lineup of speakers.
The Disability Research Forum (DRF) Steph Hannam Swain
The Disability Research Forum (DRF) is a safe space for early career researchers to share their research in the field of disability studies. We try to meet once per month, online, during the academic year. These meetings are usually for two hours where we hear from two presenters about their research. In 2024/2025 academic year we held four of these sessions with a total of seven people presenting. The sessions tend to attract 6-10 people in the audience, mostly from the UK but we do sometimes get international attendance.
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