Advancing human rights through education law • Building equality in the UK
Meet our 2026 Winners →The Education Law Students Association (ELSA) is a student-led organisation dedicated to the study and advancement of education law and human rights in the United Kingdom.
Education law plays a vital role in increasing equality across the United Kingdom. It protects vulnerable students, challenges discriminatory practices in schools and universities, ensures access to quality education for all, and upholds fundamental human rights in educational settings.
We warmly thank the anonymous donors who generously funded the essay prize pool. Their support makes this important work possible.
We also warmly welcome student blog submissions on any aspect of education law and human rights. If you would like to contribute a blog post, please get in touch.
The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence in UK schools raises urgent questions around data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the safeguarding of children’s rights under the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018.
The full implementation of the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 continues to test the balance between lawful expression and the Equality Act 2010 obligations to prevent harassment and discrimination.
Chronic underfunding and delays in Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) are creating significant legal challenges for families and local authorities across England and Wales.
Ongoing debates around admissions, decolonising the curriculum, and ensuring meaningful participation for underrepresented groups remain central to education law discourse.
Date: 17 July 2026
Join leading education lawyers, policymakers, and technologists for an afternoon exploring the legal, ethical, and practical implications of AI in UK schools.
Awards ceremony held during the week starting 3 May 2026
Fiona Parker
Harvey Bannister
Theme: “The Right to Learn: Human Rights and Education Law in the Age of AI, Equity, and Emerging Technologies”
Thank you to all who submitted. The winners have been announced and their essays will be published shortly.
Become part of a growing community dedicated to education law, human rights, and equality in the UK.