Making the Transition: Supporting Mathematicians Moving into Education Research and Pedagogical Scholarship

Wednesday 29 April 2026 
10:00 – 16:00 (Refreshments from 09:30)
School of Mathematics, University of Leeds (and hybrid)

This one-day workshop supports mathematicians navigating the transition from disciplinary research to education research and pedagogical scholarship. Through keynote talks, a panel discussion, and practical sessions, participants will gain expert guidance on research design, funding, data analysis, and publishing in mathematics education journals. The workshop is open to mathematicians at all career stages.

Are you a mathematician curious about education research, but unsure where to begin?

Whether you're an early-career academic launching your first education project, or an established colleague ready to shift your research focus, this one-day workshop is designed for you.
Mathematics education research is a field with real institutional momentum, but the transition from disciplinary research to pedagogical scholarship comes with real challenges: unfamiliar methodologies, new funding landscapes, different publication norms. This workshop addresses exactly those challenges, providing practical, expert-led guidance on how to make the transition successfully.

What you will gain: 

•  Insight into how your mathematical research skills translate directly into rigorous education research.
•  A realistic picture of career pathways in mathematics education, from colleagues who have made the journey.
•  Practical guidance on securing funding, designing studies, collecting and analysing data, and publishing in mathematics education journals.
•  Connections with peers navigating the same transition - with potential for collaborative research partnerships.
•  Strategic advice on career progression in mathematics education research.

Organisers: 

Dr Costas Loizou –  c.loizou@leeds.ac.uk
Professor Kevin Houston – k.houston@leeds.ac.uk

IMA / LMS / RSS - Higher Education Teaching & Learning Workshop Series 2026

This workshop is part of a series funded by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA), the Royal Statistical Society (RSS) and the London Mathematical Society (LMS). The other workshops in the series are as follows:

•  GenAI for Teaching and Learning, University of Southampton, April 2026
•  Mathematical Sciences Curriculum in the Age of AI, University College London, 01/06/2026
•  Producing and Designing Accessible HTML Course Materials, University of Edinburgh, 08/06/2026
•  Engaging with Students as Partners in the Mathematical Sciences, University of Manchester, 06/07/2026

All workshops in the series are free to attend, however, all delegates must register in advance.