We are pleased to announce the Keynote Speakers for IBILTA 2026.
Dr. Estee Aiken
Dr. Estee Aiken is an educator and academic leader with two and a half decades of experience as a K-12 teacher, professor, and administrator. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music, a Master of Arts in Teaching Elementary School, and a Doctorate of Education in Educational Studies. Dr. Aiken’s scholarship has focused on gifted and talented education, early childhood, and high-leverage practices in teacher preparation. Dr. Aiken has been at the University of Montana Western for the past fifteen years, first as a faculty member, then as the Dean of Strategic Initiatives, followed by Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, and now Chancellor.
Dr. Kevin L. Merry
Dr. Kevin L. Merry is an expert in accessible, inclusive, and equitable learning, teaching, and assessment design. He has supported the adoption and application of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and the transition to block learning and teaching at universities, colleges, schools, and system-wide improvement programmes across the UK, Europe, North America, and Asia. Kevin supports curriculum and instructional design, provides professional development and training, and develops practical resources to help educators meet learners where they are and create learning without limits. An award-winning teacher, Kevin has received accolades for his approaches to accessible and inclusive curriculum design and has become internationally recognised for his work with UDL and block curriculum transformation. Kevin is Founder and Chair of the UDL United Kingdom and Ireland Education Network (UDL-UKI), which identifies, promotes, and supports the development of approaches, models, tools, and practices that enable effective UDL implementation in educational and occupational settings.