On March 18th 2025, EPI STEM, The National Centre for STEM Education, a renowned research centre in the School of Education in UL, welcomed over 45 delegates to their “Future Directions of Mathematics Education Conference 2025”.
The aim for the conference was to bring together mathematics educators from across Ireland to discuss the contemporary Research & Innovation issues facing mathematics education at primary, post-primary and tertiary level and to consider possible ways to tackle these issues through futuristic research collaborations.
The Conference was opened by Professor Geraldine Mooney Simmie, Chair of STEM Education at UL and Director of EPI STEM who reminded colleagues of the importance of networking occasions for inspiring new research collaborations and leading out the next generation of mathematics and STEM educators. Professor Paul Conway, Head of the School of Education warmly welcomed delegates and expressed his appreciation of the occasion in relation to the future of teacher education in Ireland.
The keynote address was delivered by Professor Merrilyn Goos, President of the International Congress for Mathematical Instruction (ICMI), who had travelled from Queensland, Australia and inspired everyone with her international overview of the contemporary issues. Professor Goos is a former Director of EPI STEM and continues today to act as an Adjunct Professor to EPI STEM.
Seven Higher Education Institutes, as well as the Department of Education’s Inspectorate, the NCCA, Oide and the Educational Research Centre were all represented on the day. It is envisaged that the conversations and presentations that took place will provide a platform on which many future research projects in mathematics education will be built.
The conference was organised by Associate Professor Niamh O’Meara {Co-Director of EPI STEM}, Associate Professor Olivia Fitzmaurice {Director, Mathematics Learning Centre} and Helen Fitzgerald, Senior Executive Administrator of EPI•STEM.