Teachers and teacher educators often find it difficult to explore controversial issues in their classrooms, especially in politically fraught times. Controversial issues are defined as open questions that generate significant disagreement about politics, history and social problems (Foster, 2012; Hess, 2009). These questions may be related to pandemic policies, ethno/racial conflict, legacies of violent conflict, climate change, and many other challenges.
During the BERA Teacher Education and Development (BERA TED) special interest group workshop conducted by Judith Pace with Lee Jerome in November 2021, BERA TED members got a first-hand experience, in an interactive session, to learn more about the research and practice of teaching controversial issues. Delegates explored key concepts and practical tools to help educators design and facilitate dialogic exploration of controversial issues, even in polarised political contexts.
