International education is a contested term, the meaning of which has been increasingly developed and challenged over a period of many years. Even its origins are unclear, though these may be found in what would today be described as comparative education, and arguably can be traced back even further. What is clear is that there does not exist one single definition of international education that is accepted by all researchers, authors and practitioners worldwide.

Overlapping with other related concepts including development education, peace education, education for international understanding and global education, it is a relatively recent form of international education upon which this lecture will focus: that relating to the phenomenon of international schools and the form of education they provide.

Taking as a unifying theme the building of bridges so often associated metaphorically with the promotion of international and intercultural understanding, the lecture will highlight a number of aspects of research relating sometimes literally and sometimes metaphorically to the building, and/or crossing, of bridges between countries, communities and concepts. It will do so via a personal journey through Mary Hayden’s own development as an international education researcher.

Speaker profile

Mary Hayden is a Professor of International Education and Head of the Department of Education at the University of Bath.

Her research interests focus particularly on international schools and international education, areas in which Mary teaches on the MA International Education and Globalisation, the MA Education and EdD (Doctor of Education). She also supervises PhD and EdD research.

Mary is the Editor of the Journal of Research in International Education, a member of the International Primary Curriculum and International Middle Years Curriculum Advisory Board, and a Trustee of the Alliance for International Education.