International keynote speakers

Dr Lori Desautels, PhD

College of Education, Butler University, USA

Dr Lori Desautels

Dr. Lori Desautels is an educator, researcher, and leading voice in applied educational neuroscience. Since joining Butler University’s College of Education in 2016, she has taught undergraduate and graduate students to integrate social and relational neuroscience into their practice, embedding a tier-one, trauma-accommodating Applied Educational Neuroscience framework throughout her coursework.

Lori developed the internationally adopted Applied Educational Neuroscience Certification, now used by thousands of educators, clinicians, and school leaders working with children affected by adversity. She is also a course partner with the Polyvagal Institute, collaborating with Dr. Stephen Porges to bring polyvagal-informed practices into schools, communities, and mental health settings.

Her work has appeared in Edutopia, Brain Bulletin, Mind Body Spirit, and the Brain Research Journal. She continues to co-teach in K–12 classrooms, integrating research-based practices that support nervous-system regulation, connection, and readiness to learn. Lori is the author of multiple books, including Connections over Compliance (2020), Intentional Neuroplasticity (2023), and Body and Brain Brilliance (2024).

Lori has worked with over 200 school districts across the U.S. and internationally—reaching more than 150,000 educators—and continues to advocate for trauma-responsive, relationship-centred educational practice.

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Professor Sally Pearse BA, MA, PGCE, EdD, EYP, NTF, PFHEA

Strategic Lead for Early Years & Director, Early Years Community Research Centre
Sheffield Hallam University, UK

Professor Sally Pearse

Sally is a professor of early childhood at Sheffield Hallam University and the Director of the Early Years Community Research Centre (EYCRC) which delivers nursery places and family support services in an area of social and economic challenge. Since 2017 Sally led work with early years colleagues from across South Yorkshire to develop collaborative projects, including a regional vision for effective early years practice and a project to transform the regions speech, language and communication services. Sally has an interest in trauma informed practice and introduced this into Initial Teacher Education at Hallam, and as an underpinning principle of the community work at the EYCRC. Prior to her current role Sally was Hallam’s Head of Area for 0-5 Teacher Education.

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Sue O’Brien BA (Ed) Hons, QTS, MA, PFHEA

Head of the Sheffield Institute of Education at Sheffield Hallam University, UK

Sue O’Brien

Sue O’Brien is the Head of the Sheffield Institute of Education at Sheffield Hallam University. The SIoE is a sector leading, ambitious, inclusive institute, exemplifying the power of education to transform lives. Sheffield Hallam University have been training teachers for over 120 years and currently train over 1,000 new Hallam Teachers each year across all four age phases directly through Sheffield Hallam’s core programmes, as well as over 2,000 teachers nationally through a variety of partnerships. Prior to this role Sue was the Strategic lead for a pioneering, award winning, Civic based programme which led the University Transforming lives agenda. In this role Sue rolled out the inclusion of Trauma Informed training for all Initial Teacher Education students , across all age phase from 0 to 19 as well as working extensively regionally to support schools and other organisations embed a Trauma Informed approach .This work included pioneering trauma informed mentoring work for young people during and in the after math of the Covid epidemic lock down of schools and settings. Sue in her current position engages colleagues across the institution and across the Higher Education sector in researching and embedding Trauma Informed practice in Higher Education.

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Jase Williams

TEDx speaker, award-winning educator, author and former Principal.

Jase Williams

Jase Williams is a TEDx speaker, award-winning educator, and author of Your Trauma Has A Whakapapa. With over 25 years in education, he is recognised as one of New Zealand’s leading voices in trauma-aware, equity-centred, and relational neuroscience practice.

As Principal of Henry Hill School (2012–2022), Jase led a nationally recognised wellbeing transformation, earning the 2021 Prime Minister’s Education Excellence Award.

He is known for making trauma relatable and accessible, weaving neuroscience with indigenous ways of knowing and being to create culturally grounded approaches that have been transformational across corporate boardrooms, health agencies, First Nations communities in North America, gang headquarters, and prisons.

Today, he continues to advocate for systems rooted in belonging, emotional safety, unconditional love, and healing.

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National keynote speakers will be announced in the coming months.

International keynote speakers

Dr Lori Desautels, PhD

Professor Sally Pearse BA, MA, PGCE, EdD, EYP, NTF, PFHEA

Sue O’Brien BA (Ed) Hons, QTS, MA, PFHEA

Jase Williams

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Important dates

2025

2026

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