Cultivating Change:

Boys’ Impact Conference 2025

University of Bedfordshire

Wednesday 10th - Thursday 11th September

Guest speakers

This year, we are delighted to be joined at the conference by some of the UK’s leading researchers, educators, and youth practitioners from across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

  • Dr Richard Gater, Author of The 21st Century Ladz: Continuity and changes among marginalised young men from the South Wales Valleys

  • Prof. Debbie Ging, Researcher in Gender and Digital Media, Dublin City University

  • Prof. Richard Waller, Researcher in Education and Social Justice, University of the West of England

  • Dr Alex Blower, Author of Lost Boys: How Education is Failing Young Working-Class Men & Founder, Boys’ Impact

  • Dr Ashley Hickson-Lovence, Writer, educationalist, and author of Your Show, The 392, and Wild East

  • Susan Morgan, Principal Researcher, Taking Boys Seriously

  • Laura Moore, Director, United Learning Multi Academy Trust

  • Dr Sophie King-Hill, Associate Professor, University of Birmingham

  • Dr Emily Setty, Associate Professor, University of Surrey

  • Nick Hillman, Director of the Higher Education Policy Institute

  • Mark Brooks OBE, Policy Advisor, All-Party Parliamentary Group for Issues Affecting Men and Boys

  • Krista Cartlidge, Chief Executive Officer, MYTIME Young Carers

  • Hannah Constanzo, Head of Cross-Phase Projects, PiXL

About the 2025 Conference

This year’s conference will bring together a community of educational researchers, practitioners and third sector representatives who are passionate about addressing issues related to inequality and masculinity in education. It takes place in-person and is free of charge to attend.

Boys’ Impact 2025 will bring together the latest in educational research and practice surrounding how collectively, we can better support the educational outcomes and progression of young men who are eligible for Free School Meals.

With a range of over 20 workshops and paper presentations to choose from, alongside keynote sessions from world leading experts, the Boys Impact Conference provides knowledge and practical support to drive forward innovative educational research and practice. It will also be a place to network; to explore new possibilities and develop partnerships which can meaningfully, positively impact on the experience of young working-class men in education.

To find out more about this year’s line up, please see our list of guest speakers below.