International Scientific and Practical Conference ‘Innovative Approaches to Teacher Training and Professional Development’

On October 2–3, 2025, the First International Scientific and Practical Conference “Innovative Approaches to Teacher Training and Professional Development” (I-TEACH 2025) was held, organized by V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University in cooperation with its partners. The conference took place in a hybrid format: the first day was held in Kyiv with the possibility of online participation, and the second day was conducted fully online.

The event brought together researchers, education managers, and representatives of international and public organizations concerned with the professional development of teachers.

Welcoming addresses were delivered by Tetyana Kaganovska, Rector of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University; Oksen Lisovyi, Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine; and Vasyl Kremen, President of the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine.

At the plenary session, keynote presentations were delivered by: Andreas Schleicher, Director for Education and Skills, OECD, who spoke about attracting, developing, and retaining teachers in the world of the future; Liliia Hrynevych, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs at Karazin University, who discussed the conceptual foundations of teachers’ professional growth; Hannele Niemi, Professor of Education and Research Director at the University of Helsinki, who addressed teacher professionalism in times of uncertainty; Clare Gordon, Director of the Eden Centre for Education Enhancement, London School of Economics and Political Science, who spoke about modern approaches to educational leadership in challenging times; Larysa Lukianova, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, Academician of the NAES of Ukraine, and Director of the Ivan Ziaziun Institute of Pedagogical and Adult Education of the NAES of Ukraine, who presented new trajectories for the professional development of Ukrainian teachers abroad.

During the plenary session, Tetyana Holovatenko, Deputy Director of the Education and Research Institute “Academy of Teaching,” and Professor Gwen van der Velden introduced the joint program of Karazin University and the University of Warwick, supported by the British Council in Ukraine — “Educational Leadership in Turbulent Times.” The program aims to develop managerial competencies among educational leaders.

Following the plenary session, participants enjoyed a musical performance by Yaroslav Dzhus, a Ukrainian bandura player, composer, and founder of the group Shpyliasti Kobzari.

Afterwards, participants joined thematic sessions:

• The session “Innovative Approaches to Teacher Training” was moderated by Natalia Morze, Professor and Corresponding Member of the NAES of Ukraine, and Kinga Białek, Development Director of the School of Education at the University of Warsaw and the Polish-American Freedom Foundation.
• The session “Educational Leadership and Continuing Pedagogical Education” was moderated by Liliia Hrynevych and Professor Gwen van der Velden from the University of Warwick.
• The third session, “Teaching and Learning in Unpredictable Conditions,” was led by Tetiana Holovatenko, Deputy Director of the “Academy of Teaching,” and Hannele Niemi from the University of Helsinki.

The second day of the conference was moderated by Yevhen Nikolaiev, Deputy Director of the “Academy of Teaching.” Opening remarks were made by Liliia Hrynevych, who outlined current challenges in teachers’ professional development and the role of innovative approaches in transforming education.

Key presentations were given by:

• Sergii Nazarovets, PhD in Social Communications and Senior Researcher at the Library of Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University, who spoke on the impact of generative artificial intelligence on academic integrity;
• Luke Hodson, PhD in Psychology and Associate Professor at the University of Warwick, who addressed the importance of social support and psychological resilience among teachers;
• Myroslava Vovk, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, and Corresponding Member of the NAES of Ukraine, who presented findings from a monitoring study on the content of psychological and pedagogical training for future teachers in Ukrainian higher education institutions.

A special section of the conference was dedicated to young researchers, who had the opportunity to present their studies and professional insights.

The conference was jointly organized by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine, V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, the University of Warwick (United Kingdom), the University of Helsinki (Finland), the School of Education of the Polish-American Freedom Foundation and the University of Warsaw (Poland), with the support of the British Council in Ukraine, the NGO “EdCamp Ukraine”, and the International Inclusive Foundation (IIF).