The 3rd Dr Éamon Phoenix Memorial Lecture: General Registration

Featuring a Ministerial address from Paul Givan MLA, and a keynote lecture from international education consultant Lucy Crehan.

The College is delighted to announce that the 3rd annual Dr Éamon Phoenix Memorial Lecture at Stranmillis University College.

Established in 2023 by Stranmillis University College in memory of Dr Éamon Phoenix – renowned historian and a fondly remembered colleague who served as a Principal Lecturer and Head of Lifelong Learning at Stranmillis University College - the annual lecture is designed to attract educators, researchers, students and professionals to engage in discussions on contemporary educational themes.

For 2026, the event will feature an address from the Minister of Education, Paul Givan MLA, and feature a keynote from International Director at the Centre for Education Systems Lucy Crehan, entitled 'Global Learning for Transforming Curriculum in Northern Ireland.'

Having recently undertaken a review of the strategic review of the Northern Ireland curriculum with the Department of Education in Northern Ireland, Lucy Crehan is an education explorer and international education consultant. She taught science and psychology at a secondary school in London before completing a Masters in Education at Cambridge. She then spent time working in schools and living with teachers in six 'top-performing' education systems; the basis for her book, Cleverlands: the secrets behind the success of the world's education superpowers, one of The Economist's 'books of the year 2016'.

On her return, Lucy wrote a book on teacher career structures for IIEP UNESCO (International Institute for Educational Planning, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), and spent a year working as part of a team advising foreign governments on education reform at the Education Development Trust.

An interview with Lucy will follow the lecture.

Everyone welcome.

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Event Programme

7.15pm: Welcome and Introduction
Professor Jonathan Heggarty MBE (Principal & CEO)
Stranmillis University College

7.20pm: Address by Minister
Paul Givan MLA
Minister of Education

7.30pm: Introduction to Keynote
Prof. Patricia Eaton
Stranmillis University College

7.35pm: Keynote
Global Learning for Transforming Curriculum in Northern Ireland.
Lucy Crehan
International Director at Centre for Education Systems, Associate Advisor on Curriculum at Swansea University.

8.05pm: Interveiw with Speakers
Chaired by Principal

8.25pm: Update on the Dr Éamon Phoenix Foundation
with Alice Phoenix and Prof. Noel Purdy OBE

8.45pm: Closing Remarks