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Influential Educators & Thinkers – Research Hub | EBTD

Influential Educators & Thinkers

Across the world, a growing community of educators is bridging the gap between research and classroom practice. These are the teachers, writers, and commentators who take the latest findings from cognitive science, pedagogy, and curriculum studies — and translate them into practical strategies that work for pupils and schools.

At EBTD, our mission is to connect Bangladeshi teachers and leaders with evidence-informed approaches that can make a real difference. The voices featured here are among the most influential in education today. Through their blogs and websites, they share clear, accessible insights on literacy, assessment, pedagogy, technology, and curriculum design.

Each thinker on this list publishes regularly, ensuring their advice is grounded in the most up-to-date evidence. By following their work, you can gain both inspiration and practical tools to refine your teaching, lead professional development, and build a culture of continuous improvement in your school.

Literacy & Metacognition

Alex Quigley — The Confident Teacher

Website: The Confident Teacher

Alex Quigley is one of the UK’s leading voices on literacy, vocabulary, and metacognition. A former English teacher and senior leader, now at the EEF, his blog distils cognitive science and literacy research into practical classroom strategies. Known for “5 Free Research Reads”, he helps busy teachers stay connected to current evidence. From explicit vocabulary instruction to metacognition, Quigley’s writing makes complex research accessible and relevant.

Formative Assessment

Dylan Wiliam — Formative Assessment Expert

Website: dylanwiliam.org

Co-author of Inside the Black Box, Dylan Wiliam has shaped how teachers worldwide think about feedback, questioning, and assessment for learning. His site curates articles, handouts, and videos on hinge questions, mini-whiteboards, and activating learners as instructional resources. Wiliam blends robust research with teacher-friendly explanations to show how small changes can produce significant gains.

Meta-Analysis

John Hattie — Visible Learning

Website: Visible Learning

Professor John Hattie’s Visible Learning synthesises 1,600+ meta-analyses to identify the highest-impact strategies. The website hosts blogs, resources, and “Gold Papers” on feedback, direct instruction, classroom discussion, and more. For clarity amid competing fads, Hattie’s work helps teachers and leaders prioritise what truly moves learning.

Instructional Practice

Tom Sherrington — Teacherhead

Website: Teacherhead

Former headteacher turned author/consultant, Tom Sherrington popularised Rosenshine’s Principles through walkthroughs and checklists. His posts span curriculum, coaching, assessment, and inclusion — translating research into actionable routines for classrooms and CPD. Practical, clear, and grounded in lived school experience.

Curriculum & Assessment

Daisy Christodoulou — Assessment & Curriculum

Website: daisychristodoulou.com

Author of Seven Myths About Education, Daisy Christodoulou argues for a knowledge-rich curriculum and effective assessment. Through her blog and work with No More Marking, she shares insights on comparative judgement and curriculum design, turning complex debates into clear guidance for busy teachers.

Cognitive Science

David Didau — The Learning Spy

Website: Learning Spy

David Didau interrogates common practices and asks: “What does the evidence really say?” Writing on literacy, curriculum, and the psychology of learning, he offers sceptical, research-informed alternatives to orthodoxy — from progress tracking to misconceptions about memory.

Teaching Techniques

Doug Lemov — Teach Like a Champion

Website: Teach Like a Champion

Doug Lemov codifies the craft of teaching. The TLAC blog shares routines, coaching notes, and videos on questioning, classroom management, and literacy. Core belief: great teaching is technique — skills that can be practised, shared, and refined.

Dual Coding & Design

Oliver Caviglioli — Learning by Design

Website: OliverCaviglioli

A designer and explainer of education research, Oliver specialises in dual coding and visual communication. His infographics and posts help teachers reduce cognitive load, improve clarity, and turn complex theory into classroom-ready resources.

EdTech & Pedagogy

Sara Hennessy — EdTech Hub

Website: EdTech Hub Blog

Professor Sara Hennessy (Cambridge / EdTech Hub) explores how technology and pedagogy intersect, with a focus on interactive teaching and professional learning in diverse contexts. Open-access research, case studies, and guides emphasise inclusive, low-resource-aware use of EdTech.

Classroom Practice

Rebecca Alber — Teacher, Writer, Coach

Website: Rebecca Alber Blog

UCLA instructor and long-time Edutopia contributor, Alber shares practical strategies on retrieval practice, questioning, scaffolding, and literacy — always with an emphasis on equity and inclusion. Supportive, teacher-centred, and grounded in research and classroom wisdom.

Leadership & Curriculum

Mary Myatt — Myatt & Co

Website: MaryMyatt.com

Education adviser, writer, and speaker, Mary Myatt writes about curriculum, leadership, and high expectations for all learners. Blending philosophy with practice, her posts and resources support schools aiming for rigorous, humane curricula.

Research to Practice

Carl Hendrick — Learning from Research

Website: Learning from Research

English teacher and researcher, Hendrick distils cognitive science into clear classroom takeaways. He tackles learning myths, champions retrieval practice, and offers concise methods for improving memory and understanding — relevant to teachers and leaders alike.