Shaping the Future of Early Childhood Education
Connecting Research, Innovation, Policy & Partnerships
Connecting London and Abu Dhabi through one shared global programme, the 2026 Bright Start International Conference unites educators, researchers, policymakers, philanthropies, innovators, and practitioners to shape the future of early childhood education.
Contribute to the 2026 Conference Programme
Present • Connect • Publish • Influence
Whether you are a researcher, educator, policymaker, foundation, NGO, educational leader, innovator, or practitioner, the Conference offers multiple opportunities to showcase your work, establish international collaborations, and contribute to shaping the future of early childhood education.
OECD High-Level Round Table and Action Dialogues
Help Shape the Global Call to Action
Led by the OECD Network of Foundations Working for Development (netFWD), the High-Level Roundtable and Action Dialogues will bring together governments, philanthropies, international organisations, researchers, and education leaders.
Share innovative research, work in progress, partnership models, policy initiatives, and practical solutions to help shape future collaboration, policy, and investment.
Proposal Deadline: 11 September 2026
The Global Research & Innovation Poster Gallery
Share Your Work • Connect with Global Leaders • Get Published
Showcase your research, innovative practice, emerging ideas, and work in progress through dedicated Online Poster Sessions or in person within the Global Research & Innovation Poster Gallery in London or Abu Dhabi.
Accepted posters will be featured in the Official Conference Programme, the Conference App, and will be eligible for publication in the 2026 Bright Start Conference Proceedings (ISBN 978-2-8399-5151-7).
Poster Submission Deadline: 11 September 2026
Journal of Early Childhood Research-Special Edition
Global Call for Papers
Researchers, neuroscientists, and educators worldwide are invited to submit papers showcasing studies, case examples, or innovative practices that elevate children’s voices, agency, creativity, and participation.
All manuscripts will undergo peer review in accordance with the Journal's academic standards.
Submission Deadline: 4 September 2026
For full submission guidelines and requirements, click the button below:
Meet Some of the 2025 Bright Start Presenters
Sarah Aiono
Sarah Aiono
Sarah Aiono
Play Pedagogy,
Chief Executive Officer, Longworth Education, New Zealand
Sue Atkins
Sarah Aiono
Sarah Aiono
Parenting Expert, Author, Broadcast & Host of Navigating the Digital Jungle podcast,
United Kingdom
Lora Bailey
Sarah Aiono
Lora Bailey
Vice president for academic affairs and Provost, University of The Virgin Islands, USA
Edward Clapp
Sarah Aiono
Lora Bailey
Principal Investigator,
Project Zero, Harvard Graduate School of Education, Massachusetts, USA
Mutlu Cukurova
Eirini Gkouskou
Susan Edwards
Professor of Learning and Artificial Intelligence, University College London, United Kingdom
Susan Edwards
Eirini Gkouskou
Susan Edwards
Professor of Early Childhood Education & Director of Early Childhood Futures, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia
Michelle Fournell
Eirini Gkouskou
Eirini Gkouskou
Managing Director,
Auberge des Pensées / Inn of Thoughts,
France
Eirini Gkouskou
Eirini Gkouskou
Eirini Gkouskou
Associate Professor in Early Years and Primary Education, IOE, Department of Learning & Leadership, University College London (UCL), United Kingdom
Slim Khemakhem
Rosina Merry
Rosina Merry
Senior member of the Executive Dean’s Office, Education Division, Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT),
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Rosina Merry
Rosina Merry
Rosina Merry
Director Teaching, Learning and Research, Te Rito Maioha Early Childhood, Wellington, New Zealand
Graeme Severinsen
Rosina Merry
Elizabeth Slade
Academic Leader Undergraduate and Graduate Programmes (ECE), Te Rito Maioha Early Childhood, Wellington, New Zealand
Elizabeth Slade
Rosina Merry
Elizabeth Slade
Executive Director, Public Montessori in Action International,
Massachusetts, United States
Julie Taylor
Kine Melfald Tveten
Kine Melfald Tveten
Associate Dean for Medical Education, Geisel School of Medicine,
New Hampshire, USA
Kine Melfald Tveten
Kine Melfald Tveten
Kine Melfald Tveten
Researcher and Physiotherapist, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences,
Bergen, Norway
Priti Verma
Kine Melfald Tveten
Priti Verma
Executive Dean, Higher Colleges of Technology, Sharjah, UAE
Antje von Suchodoletz
Kine Melfald Tveten
Priti Verma
Associate Professor of Psychology, New York University,
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Join the Bright Start Foundation Community
🌟 Enter a global network of early childhood practitioners and researchers, united to drive positive change in early childhood care and education across the world.