The What Works Hub for Global Education is an international partnership studying and advancing implementation of effective education reforms at scale. The Hub’s ultimate goal is to improve foundational learning in low- and middle-income countries. Our 2026 conference will bring together rigorous research with practical policy and implementation experience to drive improved knowledge and practice.
Learn more about the conference:
Registration information
The conference will take place at the Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford, UK from 15–16 September 2026. The conference will be hybrid, with in-person and online attendance available.
In-person attendance is now at capacity and running a waitlist; online attendance is open to all. Registration for online-only attendance is available below.
Conference programme
Confirmed keynote panellists and chairs
Rukmini Banerji
Senior Advisor
Pratham Education Foundation
Christian Bodewig
Director for Education and Skills
World Bank
Nompumelelo Nyathi-Mohohlwane
Director for Reading
Department of Basic Education, South Africa
Ranil Dissanayake
Deputy Chief Economist
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Flora Mutezigaju
Deputy Director General
Rwanda Basic Education Board
Dr. Obiageli ‘Oby’ Ezekwesili
Founder & President
Human Capital Africa
Grace Muzila
Former Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Education and Skills Development, Botswana
Benjamin Piper
Director of Global Education
Gates Foundation
Hon. Minister of Basic
and Senior Secondary Education, Sierra Leone
Conrad Omalikeh Sackey
Jonathan Stern
Deputy Director of Global Education
Gates Foundation
Side events
Interested in hosting a side event adjacent to the 2026 What Works Hub for Global Education Conference?
We kindly request that you do not schedule side events on the days of the conference, 15 and 16 September, so these days can be fully dedicated to delivering and participating in a quality conference. Side events are welcome on Thursday, 17 September or Friday, 18 September.
For more information, see our guide on side events (PDF).
Conference call for submissions (now closed)
The deadline for submissions was 8 April 2026.
Submissions aligned with the following themes were encouraged:
- Evaluation of foundational learning programs at scale
- Compelling policy and/or government-led scaling examples
- Strong implementation science-oriented measurement techniques (eg implementation, learning, and cost measurement)
- Adaptative and iterative approaches, including A/B testing
- Evidence on core components of evidence-based approaches such as teaching at the right level or structured pedagogy
- Evidence use for policy or programme decision-making
- Service delivery (eg bureaucratic delivery mechanisms)
- The intersection of GEDSI (Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion) and implementation at scale
Eligibility
- To foster interaction, we expect presenters to attend and present in person.
- Submissions should feature low- and middle-income country contexts.
- Presenters and organisations from low- and middle-income countries as well as government representatives were strongly encouraged to submit.
