The 2021 conference theme is ‘Education for sustainable development and social wellbeing’. The conference theme this year seeks to explore the role of education for sustainable development and social wellbeing. At the global level, it responds to the UN-led Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in which social wellbeing is given a key position. At the national level, it considers the global Covid-19 pandemic as a microcosm invoking a range of social issues, concerns and actions. We, therefore, welcome participants to reflect on their thoughts on the role of education within broader social and environmental concerns, to show examples of local activities that promote sustainable thinking and practice, and to share their visions on future research and practice for building an inclusive and resilient society.

Based on the previous seven conferences since 2013, CERA members have developed the following special interest groups within Chinese educational research:

· Chinese language education

· English language education

· Higher education

· Early childhood education

· Family education

· Education technology and media

· Education and (economic, social and cultural) development

· Inclusive and special needs education

· School curriculum and subject development

· Teacher education and development

· Chinese students in the UK

· Educational leadership and management

· Art and music education

· Vocational education

· Continuing and lifelong education

· Educational policy

· Private education

· Character and moral education

· Outdoor education

· Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education

These and others will form the sub-themes for our conference. We welcome proposals from CERA members and conference attendees for ideas about new themes to enrich the range of discussion at the conference.