Keynotes

Welcoming our two keynote speakers for It’s Scholarly but it’s Real: Using Phenomenon Based Learning to future-proof effective learning in Higher Education.

During our 2-day online conference, our keynotes will provide invaluable insights and share their expertise on Phenomenon-based Learning. Their presentations are designed to inspire, inform, and engage attendees, setting the stage for vibrant discussions and networking opportunities.

Keynotes

Professor Donna Fields 

Donna Fields, Ph.D., born in New York and now based in Valencia, Spain, is a Professor in the Department of Languages at the Universidad de Jaén (Spain). Professor Fields has global reach, travelling around the world giving workshops that highlight ways for educators to transition into more interactive classroom planning and teaching. She has spearheaded, designed and coordinated courses for various governmental agencies across the world and works with stakeholders at all levels to integrate agentic methodologies which develop empowerment. Professor Fields has authored five books on techniques and strategies for language and content learning and is now hosting podcasts which highlight contributions from global educators in which they share their educational innovations. She works as a teacher-trainer for various organisations including OUP (Spain, U.K.), Richmond Press (Spain, Latin America), York Press (U.K.), Educluster (Finland). Donna specialises in the Content, Language, Integrated Learning approach and other innovative scaffolding for learning to ensure optimum student outcomes.  

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Prof Kirsti Lonka

Kirsti Lonka is Professor of Educational Psychology at University of Helsinki, Finland, since 2005. She is Director of Research Group of Educational Psychology. Kirsti Lonka was the PI of a project “Phenomenal Teacher Education – Engaging learning environments” funded by the Ministry of Education, Finland (2017-2019), as well as PI in collaboration with Dr Markus Talvio in EU Erasmus+ project Learning2Be (on social and emotional learning) (2017-2019). Kirsti is a founding member of Teachers’ Academy of University of Helsinki since 2013 and also their first President (2013-2014). During 2015-2017 she was the Associate Editor of Elsevier journal Learning and Instruction (Impact factor 3.8). Professor Lonka is currently leading a research strand in a major strategic project “DigiConsumers: Learning to be digital consumers. How to improve young people’s financial skills in a technologically driven consumer society?”, funded by the Finnish Strategic Research Council CULT Program (2019-2025). Professor Lonka is a popular keynote speaker around the world. She has published more than hundred refereed articles, conference papers, textbooks and book chapters. Her specialties are higher education, medical education, teacher education, and postgraduate education (PhD students). Kirsti has recently been appointed to lead a city-wide education hub in Helsinki. 


in the UK for Quality Education

Sustainable Development Goal 4, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

Top 5 for Social Inclusion

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

for First Generation Students

The Mail University Guide 2025

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021