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.
Jo Hornby
Jo Hornby is a Principal Fellow and Executive Head of the Quality Transformation Unit at the University of Greater Manchester and has over 20 years of leadership experience in the UK, across secondary, further, and higher education. Jo leads the implementation of the University’s strategic curriculum transformation programme, The Greater Manchester Way, with a broad range of responsibilities focusing on institutional change management, quality enhancement, and innovative curriculum design, with expertise in implementing block teaching to improve student learning, staff capability, and organisational effectiveness.
Jo has successfully led major quality improvement initiatives, including institutional transformation, apprenticeship reform, and was previously academic lead for the University’s initial teacher education provision. Alongside Jo’s University leadership, she has served as an Ofsted Inspector and Trust Board Chair for a regional multi-academy trust, contributing to sector-wide developments in educational quality, evidence-informed practice, and strategic leadership.