IBSC Ideas Lab
Professional Conversations for Leaders of Research in Boys’ Schools
Starting April 23, 2026
IBSC Ideas Lab invites research leads, directors of research, and educators driving research initiatives in boys' schools to connect virtually using Zoom. Limited to 14 participants plus the facilitator, this IBSC Ideas Lab includes three one-hour sessions for participants to discuss relevant topics.
Designed as an interactive exchange among colleagues, IBSC Ideas Lab engages dedicated educators who learn and grow together. Before each session participants engage with relevant resources to provide a foundation for discussions. Together we surface fresh ideas and build mutual support structures and enduring professional friendships.
Available exclusively to IBSC member schools, first-time participants who can commit to joining all three sessions get preference in registration to support the success of each small group. No more than two participants from one school may register for an IBSC Ideas Lab.
In the spirit of open dialogue and collaboration, IBSC Ideas Labs are not recorded, allowing participants the freedom to express themselves openly and share their experiences candidly.
Who Should Attend?
Research leads, directors of research, and educators driving research initiatives in boys' schools
Format
IBSC Ideas Lab attendees participate in three scheduled one-hour calls using Zoom. Kim Hudson, associate head of upper school at St. Christopher's School (United States) and director of the Center for the Study of Boys, facilitates each session.
Conversation Topics
Conversation 1
From Data to Classroom: Translating Global Insights
Thursday, April 23, 4:00 PM EDT, 9:00 PM BST, 10:00 PM CAT
Friday, April 24, 4:00 AM AWST, 6:00 AM AEST, 8:00 AM NZST
Check the event time in your time zone.
60 minutes
How do we move beyond reading a report to actually changing the way we teach? The wealth of data available through IBSC-commissioned research, such as Professor Andrew Martin's recent work on boys' well-being, offers a powerful road map for our schools. However, the real challenge lies in "digesting" these high-level findings and making them feel relevant to a busy faculty member's day-to-day reality.
Join a conversation with your peers to share your experiences in translating global insights into local action. Explore the specific strategies schools use to "digest" complex research reports, ensuring the data doesn't just sit on a shelf. Collaboratively learn how to present data so it resonates with staff and leads to tangible shifts in the classroom experience for our boys. Discuss how to frame global findings to increase faculty buy-in and share specific "wins" where faculty-led or IBSC research has resulted in measurable improvements in student engagement and behavior.
Conversation 2
Building a Culture of Inquiry: Structures and Celebration
Thursday, April 30, 4:00 PM EDT, 9:00 PM BST, 10:00 PM CAT
Friday, May 1, 4:00 AM AWST, 6:00 AM AEST, 8:00 AM NZST
Check the event time in your time zone.
60 minutes
What does it take to signal to your faculty that research isn't just an "extra," but a core part of your school's identity? Creating a sustainable research culture requires more than just good intentions; it requires intentional structural support. Engage in a dynamic conversation about the mechanisms that truly move the needle, from dedicated budget lines and specific leadership roles to public celebration of teacher inquiry.
Explore how to make research accessible and prestigious within the unique context of a boys' school, ensuring that evidence-informed practice becomes woven into the very fabric of your school culture.
Conversation 3
Maximizing Capacity: Time, Return on Investment, and Teacher Agency
Thursday, May 7, 4:00 PM EDT, 9:00 PM BST, 10:00 PM CAT
Friday May 8, 4:00 AM AWST, 6:00 AM AEST, 8:00 AM NZST
Check the event time in your time zone.
60 minutes
In the time-starved environment of a boys' school, how do we create the space for meaningful research to flourish? Time is undoubtedly our scarcest resource.
Share your most successful models for providing a "return on investment" for research, whether through reduced teaching loads, summer grants, or personal learning networks. Discuss how to differentiate these opportunities, providing inviting entry points for the "research-curious" teacher while offering the depth required for the seasoned researcher. Explore the impact of involving the boys themselves in the process to increase the authenticity and agency of our findings.
Registration
IBSC member rate: US $180
Refund Policy
If you are unable to attend, you must cancel your registration in writing by emailing IBSC@theibsc.org by April 9, 2026. IBSC will refund 90% of registration fees if a written request is received via email by this date. No refunds will be made for cancellations received after this date. Schools seeking to register an alternate to replace a participant unable to attend should contact IBSC@theibsc.org.
Please note: Watch your email for login information for this IBSC Ideas Lab by April 16, 2026. If you registered later than this date, watch for login information within 24 hours.
Participation certificates: Participants present for all three conversations will receive a certificate of participation within two weeks of the final session.
Facilitator
Kim Hudson
Kim Hudson is the founding director of the Center for the Study of Boys and the associate head of the upper school at St. Christopher’s School (United States), where she has worked for 20 years. She holds a Ph.D. in education, a master of teaching, and a B.A. in psychology, all from the University of Virginia.
In addition to her school leadership roles, Hudson is a trustee for the International Boys’ Schools Coalition, chairs the IBSC Research Committee, and is a member of the Virginia Coalition for Boys and Men. Her career began in serving children with neurodiversity and she has previously served as an adjunct university professor. Hudson is committed to keeping the voices of boys at the center of research and practice.
Hudson holds the Chair of Distinguished Teaching and Collaborative Research at St. Christopher's. Her past honors include the Andrew Jackson Bolling III Faculty Award and the Armstrong-Jennings Award.