The COVID-19 pandemic is highlighting and exacerbating pre-existing inequalities within our society and across the world. The digital divide and poor mental health are just two of the barriers to education that have become ever more apparent over the past year.It is crucial that we not only focus on how people can continue to access quality learning in the coming months, but how we use education to rebuild lives and communities across the world for generations to come. Education – and the professionals at the centre of enabling it – will be a driving force in our recovery from the pandemic and critical to creating a fairer, more informed and prosperous world.”– Professor Sue Rogers, Director (interim), UCL Institute of Education.
Over the past year, IOE researchers have been examining the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on education and societies across the world, highlighting key issues that need to be addressed, and compiling resources and creating courses to help teachers, pupils, and parents adapt to new ways of teaching and learning.
You can find out more from our three-part IOE Public Debates Series ‘What if… our education system changed for good in light of COVID-19?’ and the IOE Coffee Breaks series which discusses trending education topics, as well as view current and past projects on our COVID-19 research at UCL Institute of Education web pages, and listen to our Research for the Read World podcast series.
Links
Delve into the research with episodes from our Research for the Real World podcast series:
Before learning went mobile
Professor Norbert Pachler recalls recognising the educational potential of mobile technology before it transformed everyday life.
17 Aug 2026
The first grant
Professor Lynn Ang reflects on how the generosity, confidence and support of others can help shape an academic career.
03 Aug 2026
Across time and cultures: IOE celebrates the history and future of its Chinese community
The UCL Department of Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment hosted a lively celebration of more than a century of connections between Chinese students and scholars, UCL and wider British society.
03 Aug 2026