Keynote Speakers

Professor Dr Peter Charles Taylor is Director of the International Transformative Education and Research Network (ITERN) and Adjunct Professor at Murdoch University’s School of Education. During 3 decades at Curtin University’s Graduate Centre of Science and Mathematics Education (SMEC), Peter developed a model of research as transformative learning designed to engage teachers and teacher educators in exploring their cultural histories, reconceptualizing their professional practices, and developing their agency as inspiring leaders of education as/for sustainable development. Engaging stories of these transformative learning experiences are recounted in a recent book co-edited with Professor Bal Chandra Luitel: Research as Transformative Learning for Sustainable Futures: Glocal Voices and Visions (Brill, 2019). Peter continues to actively support the visionary leadership of his graduates as they transform teacher education programs in universities across Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Pacific. He shares with Dr Elisabeth (Lily) Taylor a vision of education for cultural and environmental sustainability aimed at developing young people’s ethical and spiritual values, which is the focus of their latest co-edited book: Transformative STEAM Education for Sustainable Development: International Perspectives and Practices (Brill, 2022).

Vice-Chancellor, Bodoland University, Assam, India

Professor B.L. Ahuja is an eminent physicist and academic administrator, currently serving as the Vice-Chancellor of Bodoland University, Kokrajhar, Assam. With over three decades of teaching and research experience, Dr. Ahuja has significantly contributed to the fields of condensed matter physics, radiation physics, photovoltaics, and Compton scattering.

Prior to his current role, he held the position of Emeritus Scientist (CSIR) at Mohanlal Sukhadia University (MLSU), Udaipur, where he also served as Professor of Physics for 14 years. His administrative contributions at MLSU include key leadership roles such as Director of the Institute of Engineering and Technology, Director of Research, Dean of PG Studies, Chairman of the Faculty of Science and Engineering, and Acting Vice-Chancellor.

Dr. Ahuja is recognized for his pioneering work in developing India’s first 20 Ci Cs-137 Compton spectrometer and for being the first Indian scientist to conduct high-resolution magnetic Compton profile measurements. His international research includes prestigious fellowships and collaborations with institutions such as the University of Warwick (UK), Paris University (France), and SPring-8 (Japan).

He has been a member of multiple national-level committees under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), including the Programme Advisory Committee (NSTMIS), the Women Scientist Scheme-A, and the Young Scientist Committee. His academic impact extends across 17 national and 17 international research collaborations and a long-standing commitment to mentoring young researchers.

A respected leader, innovator, and policy contributor, Dr. Ahuja’s work continues to shape science education and research in India.

Dr. Gillian Roehrig is a professor of STEM Education at the University of Minnesota. Her research explores issues of professional development for K-12 science teachers, with a focus on implementation of integrated STEM learning environments and induction and mentoring of beginning secondary science teachers. Her work in integrated STEM explores teachers’conceptions and implementation of STEM, curriculum development, and student learning in small groups during STEM lessons. She has received over $50 million in federal and state grants and published over 120 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. Through this work she has provided professional development opportunities for numerous teachers in Minnesota and across the world, including Djibouti, Egypt, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, and the United Arab Emirates. She has mentored 46 PhD students in STEM Education, who promote and support equitable STEM education across the world. She is a former board member and president-elect of NARST: A worldwide organization for improving science teaching and learning through research and former president of the Association for Science Teacher Education.