BAICE Conference 2026

Constructive encounters: divergent voices, dialogues, and shared futures in CIE

Recent political developments have dramatically affected education by casting scepticism on the value of diversity, cross-cultural exchanges, multilateralism, and international partnerships. Brexit, American isolationist policies, the rise of far-right movements across many parts of the world, and violent conflict, all present a hostile environment for the field of comparative and international education (CIE) while simultaneously reaffirming its pertinence in documenting and making sense of these ruptures and developments. From funding cuts to restrictions on academic freedom, teaching and research face significant challenges.

At the same time, CIE continues to be marked by internal divisions across epistemic communities with contrasting disciplinary foundations, normative positions and impact agendas. Yet, in this environment, academic conferences often remain conventional spaces that reaffirm consensus among close colleagues without encouraging questioning or sidestepping the harsh realities outside the ivory tower. To what extent are our conferences promoting dialogue among divergent voices to advance the research and practices of CIE? Divergence may be based on differences in epistemology, methodology, politics, geographic expertise, power resources, lived experiences and visions for education.

BAICE 2026 at Glasgow aims to bring together divergent views to stimulate discussions across the tensions currently afflicting our field externally and internally. We wish to promote dialogue among colleagues who normally operate in different circles and communities given the orientations and nature of their work.