Bulgarian Comparative Education Society (BCES)
24th BCES Annual International Conference 2026
Education as an Ecosystem: A Global Dialogue
Sofia, Bulgaria, 7–10 July 2026
Keynote Speakers
Professor Dr. Liz Jackson
Karen Lo Eugene Chuang Professor in Diversity and Equity
Associate Dean (Research)
Faculty of Education
University of Hong Kong
Title of keynote presentation:
Clash of Civilisations or Dialogue of Civilisations? The global education ecosystem 25 years after 9/11
Thematic Sections
Education as an Ecosystem:
A Global Dialogue
For too long, education has been viewed as a mechanical system—a linear process of inputs and outputs, governed by standardized policies and isolated disciplines. The BCES 2026 conference invites you to a paradigm shift. We propose reimagining education as an ecosystem —a dynamic, interconnected, living network where every element, from policy to pedagogy, from preschool to university, exists in a relationship of mutual influence.
An ecosystem thrives on diversity, resilience, and the ongoing exchange of energy and resources. It cannot be understood by examining a single species in isolation, but only by observing the complex web of life as a whole. Similarly, we can no longer understand education by looking solely at curriculum, technology, or assessment. We must see how they interact with teacher well-being, legal frameworks, international benchmarks, and early childhood experiences.
1. Comparative and International Education
Section Chair: Prof. Charl Wolhuter, North-West University, South Africa
2. International Education Issues
Section Chair: Assoc. Prof. Zacharias L de Beer, North-West University, South Africa
3. School Education: Policies & Practices
Section Chair: Dr. Gillian L. S. Hilton, University of West London and BFWG, United Kingdom
4. Higher Education & Teacher Education and Training
Section Chair: Prof. James Ogunleye, Academy of Innovation & Management, United Kingdom
5. Law and Education
Section Chair: Prof. Elizabeth Achinewhu-Nworgu, Ulster University, United Kingdom & Ireland
6. Wellbeing in the School Ecosystem
Section Chair: Assoc. Prof. Ayşen Köse Şirin, Yeditepe University, İstanbul, Türkiye
Committees
Organizing Committee
Conference Chair: Prof. Nikolay Popov, BCES Chair
Prof. Karen L. Biraimah, University of Central Florida, USA
Prof. Kathrin F. Beck, Katholische Stiftungshochschule München, Germany
Prof. Steve Greenfield, Westminster Law School, United Kingdom
Prof. Liz Jackson, University of Hong Kong, SAR Hong Kong China
Assoc. Prof. Ricardo Lozano, Texas A&M International University, USA
Dr. Gergana Sakarski, BCES, Bulgaria
Kalina Popova, M.Ed., BCES Secretary, Sofia, Bulgaria
Assoc. Prof. Ayşen Köse Şirin, Yeditepe University, İstanbul, Türkiye
Program Committee
Prof. Charl Wolhuter, North-West University, South Africa
Assoc. Prof. Zacharias L de Beer, North-West University, South Africa
Dr. Gillian Hilton, Middlesex University, United Kingdom
Prof. James Ogunleye, Academy of Innovation & Management, United Kingdom
Prof. Elizabeth Achinewhu-Nworgu, Ulster University, United Kingdom & Ireland
Dr. Anna Czyż, Pedagogical University of Cracow, Poland
Prof. Hennie Steyn, North-West University, South Africa
Prof. Nicholas Sun-keung Pang, East China Normal University, China
Prof. Claudio-Rafael Vasquez-Martinez, University of Guadalajara, Mexico
Prof. Steve Azaiki, Institute of Science and Technology, Nigeria
Conference Archive
BCES Conference Programs
XXIII BCES Conference Program 2025 online version
XXIII BCES Conference Program 2025 printed version
XXII BCES Conference Program 2024 printed version
XXI BCES Conference Program 2023 printed version
XX BCES Conference Program 2022 online version
XIX BCES Conference Program 2021 online version
XVIII BCES Conference Program 2020 online version
XVII BCES Conference Program 2019 printed version
XVI BCES Conference Program 2018 printed version
XV BCES Conference Program 2017 online version
XV BCES Conference Program 2017 printed version
XIV BCES Conference Program 2016 printed version
XIII BCES Conference Program 2015 printed version
XII BCES Conference Program 2014 printed version
XI BCES Conference Program 2013 printed version
X BCES Conference Program 2012 printed version
IX BCES Conference Program 2011 printed version
VIII BCES Conference Program 2010 printed version
VII BCES Conference Program 2009 printed version
VI BCES Conference Program 2008 printed version
V BCES Conference Program 2007 printed version
IV BCES Conference Program 2006 printed version
III BCES Conference Program 2005 printed version
II BCES Conference Program 2003 printed version
BCES brief info
The Bulgarian Comparative Education Society (BCES) was founded in Sofia in October 1991.
BCES is registered as a non-profit, non-governmental organization. It focuses on:
- organizing the BCES annual international conference
- organizing national and international conferences on education
- doing comparative education studies
- coordinating international research projects
- supporting publications on problems of education
- organizing study visits to Bulgaria for foreign students, teachers and experts
- providing expertise to education policy making
BCES topics of special interest are:
- Comparative education
- History of education
- Teacher education
- Education policy, reforms and innovations
- Reforms in preschool, primary and secondary education
- Reforms in higher education
- Lifelong learning, vulnerable groups and social inclusion
- School counseling
BCES Conferences
XXIII BCES Conference 2025
Education at a Crossroads
İstanbul, Türkiye, 24 - 27 September 2025
XXII BCES Conference 2024
Education in Developing, Emerging, and Developed Countries: Different Worlds, Common Challenges
Sandanski, Bulgaria, 2 - 5 July 2024
XXI BCES Conference
Recovering Education: Using the Experiences and Learning Acquired to Build New and Better Education Systems
Sofia, Bulgaria, 27 - 30 June 2023
XX BCES Conference
Towards the Next Epoch of Education
Virtual Conference, 20 - 24 June 2022
XIX BCES Conference
New Challenges to Education: Lessons from Around the World
Virtual Conference, 22 - 25 June 2021
XVIII BCES Conference
Educational Reforms Worldwide
Virtual Conference, 23 - 26 June 2020
XVII BCES Conference
Glocal Education in Practice: Teaching, Researching, and Citizenship
Pomorie, Bulgaria, 11 - 14 June 2019
XVI BCES Conference
Education in Modern Society
Golden Sands, Varna, Bulgaria, 11 - 15 June 2018
XV BCES Conference
Current Business and Economics Driven Discourse and Education: Perspectives from Around the World
Borovets, Bulgaria, 20 - 23 June 2017
XIV BCES Conference
Education Provision to Every One: Comparing Perspectives from Around the World
Sofia, Bulgaria, 14 - 17 June 2016
XIII BCES Conference
Quality, Social Justice and Accountability in Education Worldwide
Sofia, Bulgaria, 10 - 13 June 2015
XII BCES Conference
Education’s Role in Preparing Globally Competent Citizens
Nessebar, Bulgaria, 15 - 20 June 2014
XI BCES Conference
Education in One World: Perspectives from Different Nations
Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 14 - 17 May 2013
X BCES Conference
International Perspectives on Education
Kyustendil, Bulgaria, 12 - 15 June 2012
IX BCES Conference
Comparative Education and Teacher Training
Sofia, Bulgaria, 5 - 9 July 2011
VIII BCES Conference
Comparative Education and Teacher Training
Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 9 - 12 June 2010
VII BCES Conference
Comparative Education and Teacher Training
Tryavna, Bulgaria, 29 June - 3 July 2009
VI BCES Conference
Comparative Education and Teacher Training
Sofia, Bulgaria, 1 - 4 July 2008
V BCES Conference
Comparative Education, Teacher Training and New Education Agenda
Sofia, Bulgaria, 28 - 31 August 2007
IV BCES Conference
Comparative Education and Teacher Training
Sofia, Bulgaria, 1 - 4 May 2006
III BCES Conference
Comparative Education in Teacher Training
Sofia, Bulgaria, 18 - 22 April 2005
II BCES Conference
Comparative Education in Teacher Training
Sofia, Bulgaria, 8 - 12 October 2003
I BCES Conference
Comparative Education in Teacher Training
Sofia, Bulgaria, 20 - 24 November 2002