UK and Ireland Engineering Education Research Network (EERN) Annual Symposium 9 – 10 July 2026
The Centre for Engineering Education is pleased to support EERN 2026 at the University of Sheffield, bringing together colleagues from across the UK and Ireland to explore the future of engineering formation, digital learning, ethics, and student success.
EERN 2026 comes to Sheffield
The Centre for Engineering Education is delighted to support the UK and Ireland Engineering Education Research Network (EERN) Annual Symposium 2026, hosted by the University of Sheffield.
This year’s symposium theme, Education vs Training: Redefining Engineering Formation for the Future, invites colleagues to reflect on one of the most pressing questions facing engineering education today: how do we balance immediate workforce readiness with the broader purposes of higher education, including professional judgement, ethical responsibility, societal impact, and lifelong capability?
For colleagues across the Faculty and beyond, this is an excellent opportunity to engage with current thinking, emerging research, and practical innovation in engineering education.
The symposium will explore a wide range of themes, including:
- engineering and society, including sustainability, ethics, and public value
- AI, digital tools, and assessment in a post-GenAI landscape
- work-integrated, industry-linked, and community-engaged learning
- equity, belonging, and student success
- open, online, and hybrid engineering education
- lifelong learning, micro-credentials, and university–industry ecosystems
- engineering educator development and research practice
These themes reflect many of the opportunities and challenges currently shaping engineering education, making the symposium highly relevant for academic, professional services, and technical colleagues involved in teaching, curriculum development, student experience, and education scholarship.
Hosted here in Sheffield, the event offers a valuable chance for local colleagues to participate in high-quality sessions, connect with peers from other institutions, and contribute to conversations that are shaping the future of the discipline.
Further information, including the programme and registration details, is available via the symposium website.