Keynote Speakers
Meet the keynote speakers bringing research, insight, and practical strategies to this year’s Educating Girls Symposium - London on 6 November 2026.
Drawing on research and professional practice, they will offer insights into how girls learn, build confidence, and navigate an increasingly complex world.
Their sessions invite you to reflect, connect with colleagues, and bring new thinking back to your school.
![Headshot of Caitlin O’Ryan]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1784049841/ncgsorg/fc8cqdkoyeg0awzcrlyv/CaitlinORyan_Headshot_2.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1784049841/ncgsorg/fc8cqdkoyeg0awzcrlyv/CaitlinORyan_Headshot_2.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1784049841/ncgsorg/fc8cqdkoyeg0awzcrlyv/CaitlinORyan_Headshot_2.jpg","width":560}])
Caitlin O’Ryan is an actor and poet from Greater Manchester, now based in London. Her poetry is known for being vulnerable, confronting and deeply relatable. Caitlin will perform the inaugural reading of an ICGS commissioned poem at the Educating Girls’ Symposium on 6 November 2026, histed at Wimbledon High School GDST.
Her debut poetry collection, At What Point, published by Burning Eye Books, will be available to purchase after her performance. The collection takes its name from her viral poem about the cost of being a woman in today’s society, which has amassed over 18 million views online and led to an appearance on BBC Woman’s Hour.
![Headshot of Catherine Carr]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1781180934/ncgsorg/ix2fjtdoyx3pj4fomodz/Catherine-Carr_headshot.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1781180934/ncgsorg/ix2fjtdoyx3pj4fomodz/Catherine-Carr_headshot.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1781180934/ncgsorg/ix2fjtdoyx3pj4fomodz/Catherine-Carr_headshot.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1781180934/ncgsorg/ix2fjtdoyx3pj4fomodz/Catherine-Carr_headshot.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1781180934/ncgsorg/ix2fjtdoyx3pj4fomodz/Catherine-Carr_headshot.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1781180934/ncgsorg/ix2fjtdoyx3pj4fomodz/Catherine-Carr_headshot.jpg","width":2184}])
Catherine Carr is an award-winning documentary maker, presenter, podcast producer and reporter with over twenty years' experience in audio. Her work for BBC Radio 4, BBC World Service and her own company, Pocket Productions, has taken her all over the world. She has produced many documentaries for BBC Radio 4. Most recently, About The Girls. As part of making About The Girls, Catherine spoke with 150 girls aged 13-17 about what is it like to be a teenage girl in Britain in 2026. Catherine let them talk about their lives: becoming women, life online, Education, Sex and Consent, Friendship. They were funny, frank, inspiring and at times painted a bleak picture that we all need to hear.