University of Sunderland, UK. Dionne Ross has stepped into the role of international teacher development lead at the University of Sunderland, following 14 years of leadership in international initial teacher training. With over 30 years of experience in education, Dionne is a passionate advocate for inclusive learning and global collaboration. Her work focuses on building strategic partnerships that expand access to high-quality teacher education across borders. She has led the development of one of the world’s most far-reaching distance learning PGCE programmes, currently supporting trainees in over 65 countries. This year alone, Dionne is meeting partners in Switzerland, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore—strengthening relationships and co-creating impactful teacher development pathways. In early 2026, her work continues with visits to partners in India and Spain. Dionne’s expertise spans adult literacy, English language development, and support for learners with Specific Learning Difficulties all of which underpin international teacher education. Her research explores how strong institutional and cross-border partnerships shape educational outcomes and empower diverse learning communities worldwide.