3rd teff Conference "Every Voice Matters: Diversity in Schools and Teacher Education"

25/03/2026 - 26/03/2026 | Köln, Germany | teff Event

Join us @University of Cologne for our 3rd and final teff conference! - a two-day interactive event dedicated to exploring diversity in schools and teacher education. Through varied, hands-on formats, participants will exchange ideas, reflect on practice, and amplify diverse perspectives!

25 March 2026 & 26 March 2026

at Universität zu Köln

In classrooms across Europe, diversity is not the exception — it is the reality. Students and teachers bring with them a wide range of languages, cultural backgrounds, identities, abilities, and lived experiences. When every voice is recognised and valued, schools become places of belonging, learning, and growth for all. But how can education systems ensure that diversity is meaningfully embraced in both schools and teacher education?

This conference brings together educators, student teachers, teacher educators, school leaders, policymakers, and researchers to explore a shared challenge: How do we create learning environments where every voice truly matters?

Many voices, many perspectives! Join us for an inspiring exchange of ideas, practices, and research that highlight inclusive approaches, amplify underrepresented voices, and strengthen diversity awareness in schools and teacher education across Europe.

Please register here until March 8, 2026.

Find more information on what to expect in our programme below!

Preliminary Programme Day 1 (March 25

Day 1 | Neues Seminargebäude, Universität zu Köln | Universitätsstraße 37 | 50931 Köln

WEDNESDAY, March 25, 2026

09.00

Arrival & Registration

foyer

09:30

Welcome and opening remarks

Beatrix Busse, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, Chair of Diachronic English Linguistics, Chief Development Officer of the European University for Well-Being (EUniWell), University of Cologne
Jan Springob, teff Chair and Managing Director & Head of Team School Network & Internationalization (University of Cologne, Germany)

main hall

10:00

Interactive Welcome Activity

Dagmar M. Benincasa, teff project coordinator (University of Cologne, Germany)

main hall

10:30

Coffee Break

foyer

10:45

Keynote

-title tba-

Dr. Meike Kricke, Vorständin Montag Stiftung Jugend und Gesellschaft

main hall

12.00

Lunch

foyer

13.15

Workshops (parallel sessions)

Workshop I	Workshop II	Workshop III	Workshop IV
Tree of Belonging	- title tba -	- title tba -	- title tba -
Randy Samyn (KU Leuven, Belgium) Renske de Leeuw (Saxion University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands) Chrischar Rock (Stellenbosch University, South Africa)	Sebastian Barsch (University of Cologne, Germany) Marius Scholz (University of Cologne, Germany)	N.N.	N.N.
- room tba -	- room tba -	- room tba -	- room tba -

15:15

Coffee Break

foyer

15:15

Campfire Sessions (parallel sessions)

Campfire Session I	Campfire Session II	Campfire Session III	Campfire Session IV	Campfire Session V
Universal Design for Learning & experiences with students who have hearing impairments	How to support internationally educated teachers with a refugee or migration background in re-entering the teaching profession in Germany (Lehrkräfte Plus)	Experiences from an educational and anti-discrimination project that offers workshops in schools on sexual, romantic, and gender diversity for young people	- title tba -	- title tba -
Renske de Leeuw (Saxion University of Applied Sciences)	Christian Rabl (Universität zu Köln)	SCHLAU Köln e.V.	Chrischar Rock (Stellenbosch University, South Africa)	N.N.
- room tba -	- room tba -	- room tba -	- room tba -	- room tba -

16:45

Finale Day 1

main hall

16.00

Conference Dinner

Kindly note that the dinner is open to members of the teff network and conference speakers only!

Belgischer Hof

Brüsseler Str. 54 | 50674 Köln

www.belgischer-hof.de

Preliminary Programme Day 2 (March 26)

Day 2 | Zentrum für Lehrer*innenbildung (ZfL), Immermannstr 49 | 50931 Köln

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2026

09.30

Arrival & Coffee

6306

10:00

Opening Session

Jan Springob, teff Chair and Managing Director & Head of Team School Network & Internationalization (University of Cologne, Germany)

Dagmar M. Benincasa, teff project coordinator (University of Cologne, Germany)

room tba

10.30

Discussion Rounds: Diversity in and for the Classroom (parallel sessions)

Discussion Round I	Discussion Round II	Discussion Round III	Discussion Round IV
Inclusive by design? Exploring VR through children’s rights	Adaptive Expertise	- title tba -	- title tba -
Nico Rutten (Saxion University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands)	Martine van Rijswijk (Utrecht University, The Netherlands)	Dina Tsagari (Oslo Metropolitan University, Norway)	N.N.
room tba	room tba	room tba	room tba

12:00

Finale Day 2

room tba

12.30

End of Conference & Take Away Lunch

room tba

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is there a conference fee?

No!

Can I register for both days?

You are more than welcome to join us for one or for both, as you prefer.

Will the conference be in English?

Yes, all sessions of the conference will be in English.

There will only be an internal teff call for this conference - however, if you are interested in contributing something to this conference, please reach out to your local teff contact:

Anything else? Please contact both jan.springob[at]uni-koeln.de and d.benincasa[at]uni-koeln.de

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