Almost 15 years ago, I had a simple idea: that education should be informed by evidence whenever it was possible, rather than hunches and intuition. Lots of people agreed and we started to hold conference days with a twist: teachers were welcome to present, along with leaders, academics, policy makers, and anyone with a stake in actually helping children to flourish and learn. Without meaning to be, it proved to be both ground breaking and unstoppable. Despite my best efforts, it has become a phenomenon spanning the globe. Now we operate from the grass roots in over 19 countries. I entreat everyone reading this to go see as many brilliant voices and minds as you can; to think about what they say, and ponder on how it could help you in your own circumstances. And most of all, to learn to always ask the simple question: how do we know this? Reason, evidence and experience, laid over one another, is how we will take our children into the future. 

Over the past few years, my journey with researchED has been shaped by a simple but powerful idea: that education should be guided by evidence—by what we know about how learning works—rather than by philosophy, ideology, habit, intuition, or tradition alone.

I first came across researchED in 2021, when I was getting deeper into cognitive science. I remember seeing posts of long line-ups at registration—educators eager to get in, to learn from researchers, teachers, and some of the most thoughtful voices in education. All I wanted was to attend one. And then I realized: to attend one in Toronto, I had to help bring it back.

I later learned that researchED had been hosted in Toronto and Halifax in earlier years—something I wish I had known at the time. Building on that foundation, we hosted researchED at the University of Toronto Schools in 2024, followed by our second in 2025 at Timothy Eaton Memorial Church. Since then, we’ve welcomed incredible speakers from across the world—but what has mattered most is the shared commitment to evidence-informed practice.

researchED in Toronto is now part of a growing national presence. Since February 2026, I’ve had the privilege of serving as Chair of researchED Canada. Alongside long-standing events like researchED Halifax, we’re excited to continue expanding, including bringing researchED to Alberta this year.

At its heart, researchED is about asking better questions. It brings together people who care deeply about students and are willing to examine their practice in light of evidence. It is a space where ideas are shared, challenged, refined, and strengthened. And perhaps most importantly, it reminds us that expertise in teaching is not a destination, but an ongoing process—one that requires curiosity, discipline, and a willingness to rethink what we thought we knew.

My hope for you is that you leave not just with new ideas, but with sharper ways of thinking—moments that challenge assumptions, affirm your efforts, and move your practice forward in meaningful ways.

On behalf of the entire researchED Canada community, welcome. It’s a privilege to have you here.